Capitol Briefs: Becerra’s in, Essayli’s out

Becerra announces gubernatorial bid: Former California Attorney General Xavier Becerra has become the latest high-profile Dem to jump into the race to replace Gov. Gavin Newsom next year. Becerra previously served one term in the California state Assembly, fourteen years in the U.S. House of Representatives, four as California’s attorney general and almost four more as the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services under President Joe Biden.

Other notables in the race include former Rep. Katie Porter, current Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis, former state Senate and Assembly leader Toni Atkins, former state Controller Betty Yee, current Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond and former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.

Essayli trades California Assembly for U.S. Attorney’s office: And just like that, he was gone. Tuesday evening no-former Assemblymember Bill Essayli (R-Corona) announced his resignation in order to become the interim United States Attorney for the Central District of California. Essayli was sworn in the next morning. He will need to be officially appointed by President Donald Trump and confirmed by the U.S. Senate for the position to become permanent.

Assembly endorses suite of housing bills: The Assembly endorsed nine bills aimed at speeding up housing development in California. The measures included four dealing with affordability and five more addressing the aftermath of the LA fires and other disaster mitigation. All nine move to the Senate.

No constitutional convention: The Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday endorsed SJR 1, a resolution authored by Sen. Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) that would rescind all seven of California’s previous calls for a Constitutional Convention. It moves to the Senate floor.

No bucks for votes: The Senate Elections and Constructional Amendments Committee approved SB 398, a bill authored by Sen. Tom Umberg (D-Santa Ana) that would criminalize the offer of a chance to win a lottery or similar prize-drawing contest to register to vote. The proposal moves to the Senate Committee on Public Safety.