white and brown concrete building

Be advised, California: Your State Senators and Assembly Representatives go on Spring Recess this week

J.T.Leave a comment

It’s been a productive last few months in Sacramento to start off the year, with nearly 1,800 bills introduced overall! And this next Thursday, California’s State Senators and District Assembly Representatives can finally go on a much needed break from introducing their hearts out. So, if after March 24th you’ve got an email or voicemail thanking them for their time and leadership on so many issues in “the Golden State,” just know they won’t be back to check it out until at least April 6th. After that, it’s really crunch-time, especially to pass the 2026 – 2027 budget by June 15th. But not to worry, as our legislators will once again be rewarded for their hard work come July 2nd, when they get an even more deserved Summer Break until August 3rd. Gee, it sure does pay to uphold the democratic process, doesn’t it? Whether in California, Washington D.C., or anywhere across the great ole USA!

Last but not least, if you’d like to keep up with updates on one bill or another in Sacramento, you can use our state-of-the-art LegiScan database to do just so.

J.T.

iconic us capitol building in washington dc

Stop this war? In 2026, the Houses of Congress are scheduled for just 119 and 158 days, respectively

J.T.1 Comment
The 2026 Congressional schedule for the second session of the 119th Congress, per the BGR Group.

Per Steve Scalisi, the majority leader for the U.S. House of Representatives, for the 2026 calendar year the House of Representatives is scheduled to be in session for 119 days.

Per John Barrasso and Dick Durbin, respective whips of each party in the Senate, the Senate is scheduled to be in session for approximately 158 days.

Start down the rabbit hole for your congressional representatives HERE.

J.T.

a person in orange shirt with tattooed arms

That Republic, we couldn’t keep it; April 9, 1865 – June 3, 2025

J.T.Leave a comment
LA TIMES_JUNE 2Download

From the NY Times: “The House took its first step early Thursday toward a final vote on President Trump’s marquee domestic policy bill, after Republicans put down a revolt by conservative holdouts that had threatened to sink it…

Representative Hakeem Jeffries of New York, the Democratic leader who began speaking on the floor of the House at 4:53 a.m., just earned bronze: his is officially the third longest House speech in the chamber’s history. There is buzz in the Capitol over whether he is trying for the longest House floor speech, a record held by former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, who once spoke for over 8.5 hours.”

From the LA Times:

“The budget bill would make Immigration and Customs Enforcement the highest-funded law enforcement agency in the federal government, exceeding its current yearly $3.4-billion detention budget many times over. It also would impose fees on immigration services that were once free or less expensive and make it easier for local law enforcement to work with federal authorities on immigration.”

“Though the legislation is still evolving, the immigration provisions in the House and Senate versions are similar and not subject to the intense debates on other issues, such as Medicaid or taxes.”

J.T.

stone statue of leader of civil rights movement in washington dc

Senators: Please Kill this Project 2025 Bill

J.T.Leave a comment

The “big, beautiful bill,” which is being rushed through the senate this week, is little more than a scheme to double and triple the debt bondage already faced by millions of “Americans” who lack an adequate healthcare system in the wealthiest nation in history.

For its $167 billion more to the deportation machine, it’s also the Indian Removal Act, Fugitive Slave Act, Chinese Exclusion Act, and Operation Wetback combined to make permanent the New Reich agenda; should it pass, I see no reason not to expect New Nuremberg laws before the end of 2030.

Last but certainly not least, the bill’s tax cuts for billionaires and centi-millionaires–who already pay little to no income tax–would only increase the debt on the next generation by at least $3 trillion over the next ten years, according to the Congressional Budget Office.

It is no future for America, but a death knell for the few safety net programs which give our most vulnerable people here a modicum of support to survive; it is also, like ICE agents in unmarked cars through Los Angeles, a cowardly disguised proclamation of Manifest Destiny for the 21st century.

It’s obviously thus imperative for every single Senator with a conscience to do everything in their power to kill this offensive and appalling excuse for a bill. But don’t expect them to do so without hearing from every last one of us who can call upon them.

Let the city know.

History is watching!

J.T.

L.A. MARCH 2024 PRIMARIES: RECAP

J.T.Leave a comment

It’s official! There are now just 136 days before it’s “high-key” time for elections again. This is because in California ballots for the election are sent to voters some 29 days before Election Day. So then, even if Election Day is on November 5th, many of us will have the opportunity to vote on L.A. City, LAUSD, L.A. County, and even California elections as soon as October 7th, or 136 days out. In this installment we go over certified L.A. City elections to see who won, who lost out, and what you can expect this Fall if you live and vote in Los Angeles. You can also see the graphics used in this recap here. And you can watch this podcast on YouTube. Be sure to subscribe to the podcast on YouTube so you don’t miss our recap for LAUSD and L.A. County elections.

(1:48) Council District 2: Adrian Nazarian vs Jillian Burgos
(6:06) Council District 4: Nithya Raman
(11:36) Council District 6: Imelda Padilla
(14:56) Council District 8: Marqueece Harris-Dawson
(19:54) Council District 10: Heather Hutt vs Grace Yoo (K-Town Is Oaxacan Korean)
(24:16) Council District 12: John Lee
(29:25) Council District 14: Ysabel Jurado vs Kevin De Leon
(38:20) Patreon Shout Out!

And remember, if you’re able to, you can make a one-time donation to my nonprofit work for working-class communities in The City here.

You can also check out my Patreon page at https://patreon.com/jimbotimes; each subscription plays a real part in supporting my independent research and journalism for the nearly 10 million people who make up L.A. County. Because yes, I am in fact doing it for every last one of you!

With that said, let the city know. This is 2024’s official Primary Election RECAP by JIMBO TIMES, the L.A. Storyteller.

J.T.