This morning was the unofficial launch of the Newsom presidential campaign.

A+. Perfect. No notes.

"Individually, these policies are severely damaging. Collectively, they represent an existential
threat to this vital federal program that serves half of all undergraduate students in California, or
14.3% of all Pell Grant recipients nationwide."

"You furnish the pictures, and I'll furnish the war."

a man in a blue suit is giving a thumbs up ALT: a man in a blue suit is giving a thumbs up

Ah yes, the "the elites have the bomb shelters to survive" narrative...where have I seen that before...hold on, it's on the tip of my tongue...

Private Lenders Would Cash In on Congress’s Student Loan Changes Seismic changes may be coming to the federal student loan program, and private lenders are eagerly preparing to profit. House Republicans have proposed a

The likely elimination of Grad PLUS by Congress should be concerning to anybody who cares about the ability of low-income students to pursue advanced degrees in fields like nursing, teaching, mental health and counseling. Read this great piece by @tcfdotorg.bsky.social:

tcf.org/content/comm...

💯 certain that Trump and his allies are insider trading during this tariff Yo-Yo to line their pockets.

HOW HARD WOULD IT BE TO OPEN A SECOND SET OF DOORS TO THE #CALEG SWING SPACE!?

Voice of America Journalists Face Investigations for Comments About Trump The broadcaster placed a longtime journalist on leave amid growing concerns about its editorial independence.

NEW: Voice of America is in upheaval. Journalists are facing HR investigations for comments critical of Trump. One of VOA's highest-profile journalists was put on leave today after a Trump aide called him a traitor. And the White House bureau chief was reassigned. www.nytimes.com/2025/02/28/b...

HEY THAT'S ME!

Sacramento drivers = generally bad
+
Lyft drivers = generally bad
Lyft drivers in Sacramento = 😳😬

Let the nonstop refreshing of ebudget.ca.gov to get #CABudget details.....COMMENCE!

As a Sacramento native, there are many things I will defend my hometown on. However, the quality of our drivers is truly atrocious.

A late Xmas gift, courtesy of Jayden Daniels and Bijan!

But I thought Rs in Congress were opposed to government handouts?

www.politico.com/news/2024/12...

If #cabudget conditions are rough, AND the state has to consider making investments to protect CA values from the Trump administration, Middle Class Scholarship Program funds should be on the table for repurposing to better support low-income students/those who may be fearful to file a FAFSA.

Halle-******-lulah!

The #caleg swears in its members today. Fun stat: approximately 70% of this legislative class has 4 years or less of experience in the role.

My Life As a Homeless Man in America An extraordinary firsthand account.

An incredible (and harrowing) read:

www.esquire.com/news-politic...

California Democrat loses state Senate seat after labor spat Josh Newman’s defeat in Orange County followed opposition from a powerful labor union.

A damn shame to lose such a great member of the California State Senate.

www.politico.com/news/2024/11...

I've convinced our daughter to sometimes listen to "daddy's music" in the car instead of Disney. From the discography journey, I have been reminder that Warning is a highly underrated #GreenDay album.

Newsom Challenges Trump on Electric Vehicle Tax Credits Gov. Gavin Newsom said California would fill the void for residents if the Trump administration killed a $7,500 E.V. tax credit.

With the #cabudget challenges we will likely face, I just don't believe that ponying up funds for EV rebates should be a priority for investments to fight the Trump agenda (and I say this as an EV owner).

Newsom Challenges Trump on Electric Vehicle Tax Credits www.nytimes.com/2024/11/25/c...

Why legislators want more options than aye, no or not voting - Capitol Weekly Legislators in both parties openly admit they frequently don’t vote on bills not because they’re lazy, but because “no” votes are taken personally by their colleagues. But because the “no vote recorde...

Highlighting what many #caleg advocates already know: behind closed doors members/staff know some proposals are terrible ideas, but they don't want to publicly vote against it. Often folks defer to authors and hope bills either get fixed or die in fiscal comms.

capitolweekly.net/why-legislat...

Report: FAFSA fiasco upended private college enrollments The botched rollout of the new Free Application for Federal Student Aid led to major changes in the size and makeup of private colleges’ incoming classes this fall, according to a

NAICU's survey of private, nonprofit colleges definitively shows impact of the FAFSA chaos on fall enrollments; 74% say it changed composition of their class: www.insidehighered.com/news/quick-t...

Policy impacts I'm pondering with the incoming Trump Admin:
-State response to likely rollback of Title IX protections for transgender students.
-Will students from mixed status families file FAFSA and/or will CA try to backfill Pell $ being left on the table?
-Impact on int student enrollment?

Here it is, a work in progress but I've put together a #CALeg Starter Pack. As more folks join Bluesky, I'll be able to grow the list. Invite your friends, co-workers and colleagues over!
go.bsky.app/VidfYur