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PaperclipPerfector  6mo ago (text post)   21259 thread views

Culture War Roundup for the week of October 9, 2023

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"I come back to you now, at the turn of the tide." Or at least, the turn of the legislative season. Some life changes have led to Less Posting, as I've had to focus on more meatspace matters. But the legislative roundup is worth doing. Here's my understanding and my take on the 2022-2023 California legislative season as it relates to housing. (See also Alfred Twu's very detailed writeup (PDF).)

(Part of an ongoing series on housing, mostly in California. Also at /r/theschism.)

This has largely been a successful year. While the YIMBYs didn't get everything they wanted, they got a lot of it, and they are very happy. The major wins:

The major losses:

Note that while the Governor's veto can theoretically be overriden by a two-thirds vote, that hasn't happened since 1980. Also vetoed despite passing the Legislature: SB 58, psychedelics decriminalization (veto message) and SB 403, banning caste discrimination (veto message).

There's some speculation that Governor Newsom is trying to avoid signing anything that would look bad during a Presidential run. Hot take: "Californians suffering so their governor can finish 4th in New Hampshire, they have more in common with Florida than they think".

There's some speculation that Governor Newsom is trying to avoid signing anything that would look bad during a Presidential run.

Then why did he veto price caps on insulin? That’s like the most popular proposal there is.

According to this veto message:

In March, I announced the state's partnership with Civica to create our own line of CalRx biosimilar insulins that will cost no more than $30 per 10ml vial or $55 for five 3ml cartridges. This is a fraction of the current price for most insulins, and CalRx biosimilar insulins will be available to insured and uninsured patients nationwide. With CalRx, we are getting at the underlying cost, which is the true sustainable solution to high-cost pharmaceuticals. With copay caps however, the long-term costs are still passed down to consumers through higher premiums from health plans. As a state, we have led the nation in our efforts and investments to address the true underlying costs of insulin prescription affordability.

Here's the site on CalRx. They plan to start manufacturing next year.

Good to have you back! Your Cali legislative updates were always helpful to this San Diegan. (A relatively recent arrival, I only had the one chance to punch a ballot with Angelyne's name on it. And actually punched the box to vote for her, too, because that recall was weird.)

I'm glad to see the YIMBY movement is gaining strength; and that Ron DeSantis quip is funny as all hell.

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