Adam Schiff secures another Sacramento-area endorsement in bid to succeed Dianne Feinstein

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REP. AMI BERA ENDORSES ADAM SCHIFF

Burbank Democratic Congressman Adam Schiff announced another Sacramento-area endorsement Friday: Rep. Ami Bera.

Bera joins Rep. Doris Matsui, D-Sacramento, and more than half the California Democratic congressional delegation (including former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi) in backing Schiff’s bid to replace retiring Sen. Dianne Feinstein.

“I’ve known Adam since I’ve been in Congress and had a chance to watch Adam’s leadership,” Bera told The Bee.

The congressman added that Schiff really came into his own when President Donald Trump came to power in 2017, with Schiff “holding the line” against the Republican president’s policies.

“We all saw him on the national stage during impeaching, during Jan. 6,” Bera said.

He also praised Schiff for his time chairing the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, on which Bera now sits.

“I think that national security experience is incredibly important,” he said.

Bera added that he is close friends with fellow Democratic Reps. Katie Porter and Barbara Lee, who also are seeking to replace Feinstein along with Republican Eric Early.

“I think it’s less about Katie and Barbara and more about Adam’s leadership,” Bera said.

For his part, Schiff praised Bera as leader on issues of health and science, and said that if elected senator he would rely on Bera’s input on what issues are top of mind for the Sacramento area constituency.

Schiff agreed with Bera that whoever replaces Feinstein needs to be well-versed in intelligence issues, including an understanding of science and technology.

“I certainly think that whoever steps into Sen. Feinstein’s shoes is going to have a big job on their hands,” he said.

CALIFORNIANS FAVOR CHANGING THE REFERENDA PROCESS, POLL SAYS

Half of registered voters said they would support AB 421, the California bill to reform the referenda process by requiring a portion of signature-gatherers to be volunteers rather than paid, according to a recent survey by the Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies.

That includes 52% of Democrats, 44% of Republicans and 50% of No Party Preference voters.

“California voters have a clear understanding that our referendum system has been abused and support common sense fixes,” SEIU California Executive Director Tia Orr said in a statement. “As AB 421 heads to the Senate, voters have sent an overwhelming and bipartisan message that they are ready to take back their power over direct democracy.”

However, just 6% of survey respondents knew that under current law, none of the signatures needed to place a referendum on the ballot need to come from a volunteer.

The poll also found strong support for other proposed measures, including making it clearer to petition-signers whether the intent of the referendum is to uphold or overturn the law (81%), requiring paid signature-gatherers to sign a statement vouching for the accuracy and truthfulness of their description of the referendum to voters (80%), with 79% supporting revocation of the license of those who give voters inaccurate information.

More than three-quarters (76%) said that the top three funders should be listed on each page of the petition, while 75% said that the official ballot description released by the state should include the top three funders for and against the referendum.

CONSERVATIVE CHRISTIAN GROUPS TO HOLD PROTEST PRAYER VIGIL AT CAPITOL

As the Senate gathers to honor Sister Roma of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence (a group of queer and transgender drag nuns known for their irreverent attitude toward organized religion), three conservative religious groups — the American Council, the California Family Council and the California Catholic Conference — plan to gather on the west steps of the Capitol to hold a protest prayer vigil.

“I am troubled that the California State Senate would honor a group characterized by its disdain for an entire religious community. Ridiculing faith and religious beliefs has no place in California. These actions send a troubling message to people of faith by our state leaders: you are not welcome here,” said American Council President Tanner Di Bella in a statement.

In a statement, the groups said that the prayer vigil is not a political rally or gathering; participants were asked not to bring protest signs or wear politically divisive clothing.

The vigil begins at 2 p.m., the same time that the Senate reconvenes.

The announcement came a day after legislative Republicans called on Senate President pro Tem Toni Atkins, D-San Diego, to rescind Sister Roma’s invitation (Atkins declined to do so).

Also Friday, the California Legislative LGBTQ Caucus released a statement that they were proud to honor Sister Roma “for her tireless work raising millions of dollars to support HIV/AIDS patients, as well as creating the ‘Stop the Violence’ campaign to raise awareness about attacks on members of the LGBTQ community.”

“We look forward to giving her the recognition she deserves at the State Capitol,” the caucus concluded.

QUOTE OF THE DAY

“Sometimes there are 17 sides to an issue, like the ramifications of AI on society. Sometimes there are two sides, like should AR-15s be banned. Sometimes there is only one side, like did Dominion Voting machines steal the election. Always portraying two sides is lazy and stupid.”

- Rep. Ted Lieu, D-Los Angeles, via Twitter.

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• Sister Roma is coming to the California Senate, and Republicans aren’t happy about it, via Andrew Sheeler.

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