Levi Sumagaysay
@levisu.bsky.social
Economy reporter for CalMatters. Bay Area-based. Covered tech, business at MarketWatch and Mercury News. Rhymes with Chevy.
Signal: levisu.36
https://levisu.me/
https://calmatters.org/author/levi-sumagaysay/
Mastodon: @[email protected]
Signal: levisu.36
https://levisu.me/
https://calmatters.org/author/levi-sumagaysay/
Mastodon: @[email protected]
Reposted by Levi Sumagaysay
Zillow dropped climate risk scores. Redfin kept them.
Why? Our research shows these scores are useful to homebuyers.
Ideally, we'd have information on rising insurance costs. But until insurance disclosure rules change, we will continue to provide the best info available.
Why? Our research shows these scores are useful to homebuyers.
Ideally, we'd have information on rising insurance costs. But until insurance disclosure rules change, we will continue to provide the best info available.
December 2, 2025 at 9:44 PM
Zillow dropped climate risk scores. Redfin kept them.
Why? Our research shows these scores are useful to homebuyers.
Ideally, we'd have information on rising insurance costs. But until insurance disclosure rules change, we will continue to provide the best info available.
Why? Our research shows these scores are useful to homebuyers.
Ideally, we'd have information on rising insurance costs. But until insurance disclosure rules change, we will continue to provide the best info available.
Reposted by Levi Sumagaysay
Nevada regulators have accused Elon Musk’s Boring Co. of nearly 800 environmental violations in the last two years as it digs a sprawling tunnel network beneath Las Vegas for its Tesla-powered “people mover.”
By @anjeanette-damon.bsky.social and Dayvid Figler
By @anjeanette-damon.bsky.social and Dayvid Figler
Elon Musk’s Boring Co. Accused of Nearly 800 Environmental Violations on Las Vegas Project
Nevada could’ve fined the company more than $3 million, but regulators are seeking a reduced penalty of $242,800, citing an “extraordinary number of violations.”
www.propublica.org
November 25, 2025 at 8:11 PM
Nevada regulators have accused Elon Musk’s Boring Co. of nearly 800 environmental violations in the last two years as it digs a sprawling tunnel network beneath Las Vegas for its Tesla-powered “people mover.”
By @anjeanette-damon.bsky.social and Dayvid Figler
By @anjeanette-damon.bsky.social and Dayvid Figler
"If you did let your imagination run wild, especially if you were undocumented, everywhere you look, around the corner, is somebody that you’re fearful is going to try and get you and deport you.”
Nice deep dive by my colleague @nigelduara.bsky.social
calmatters.org/economy/2025...
Nice deep dive by my colleague @nigelduara.bsky.social
calmatters.org/economy/2025...
How fear of Trump's immigration blitz is changing life in California farm towns
Tax receipts are down almost 30% in one California farm town, where immigrants are afraid to go out and some longtime workers are weighing self-deportation. People panicked when probation agents in gr...
calmatters.org
November 24, 2025 at 6:08 PM
"If you did let your imagination run wild, especially if you were undocumented, everywhere you look, around the corner, is somebody that you’re fearful is going to try and get you and deport you.”
Nice deep dive by my colleague @nigelduara.bsky.social
calmatters.org/economy/2025...
Nice deep dive by my colleague @nigelduara.bsky.social
calmatters.org/economy/2025...
Reposted by Levi Sumagaysay
California nursing homes affiliated with Shlomo Rechnitz are facing lawsuits alleging that patients were raped, ignored and unnecessarily exposed to COVID-19. His companies deny the allegations. bit.ly/4i6FmLa
📝 @jocelynwiener.bsky.social
📸 Paul Kitagaki
🎨 Adriana Heldiz
📝 @jocelynwiener.bsky.social
📸 Paul Kitagaki
🎨 Adriana Heldiz
November 20, 2025 at 5:55 PM
California nursing homes affiliated with Shlomo Rechnitz are facing lawsuits alleging that patients were raped, ignored and unnecessarily exposed to COVID-19. His companies deny the allegations. bit.ly/4i6FmLa
📝 @jocelynwiener.bsky.social
📸 Paul Kitagaki
🎨 Adriana Heldiz
📝 @jocelynwiener.bsky.social
📸 Paul Kitagaki
🎨 Adriana Heldiz
Reposted by Levi Sumagaysay
New federal regulations could leave California with 61,000 fewer truck drivers as the Trump administration bans certain immigrants from operating large vehicles. With fewer truck drivers on the road, consumers may see higher shipping costs, too. bit.ly/4peUFUC
📸 Larry Valenzuela
📸 Larry Valenzuela
November 20, 2025 at 7:29 PM
New federal regulations could leave California with 61,000 fewer truck drivers as the Trump administration bans certain immigrants from operating large vehicles. With fewer truck drivers on the road, consumers may see higher shipping costs, too. bit.ly/4peUFUC
📸 Larry Valenzuela
📸 Larry Valenzuela
Reposted by Levi Sumagaysay
TEN MONTHS IN:
The national debt is higher.
The trade deficit is wider.
The inflation rate has worsened.
The unemployment rate is up.
The national debt is higher.
The trade deficit is wider.
The inflation rate has worsened.
The unemployment rate is up.
November 20, 2025 at 7:56 PM
TEN MONTHS IN:
The national debt is higher.
The trade deficit is wider.
The inflation rate has worsened.
The unemployment rate is up.
The national debt is higher.
The trade deficit is wider.
The inflation rate has worsened.
The unemployment rate is up.
Reposted by Levi Sumagaysay
WAPO SCOOP: U.S. Coast Guard will no longer classify swastikas, nooses as hate symbols
wapo.st/3Mbd9a6
wapo.st/3Mbd9a6
U.S. Coast Guard will no longer classify swastikas, nooses as hate symbols
The military service, which falls under the Department of Homeland Security, has drafted a new policy that classifies such items “potentially divisive.”
wapo.st
November 20, 2025 at 6:33 PM
WAPO SCOOP: U.S. Coast Guard will no longer classify swastikas, nooses as hate symbols
wapo.st/3Mbd9a6
wapo.st/3Mbd9a6
Reposted by Levi Sumagaysay
I wrote about how Culver City became the first municipality in California (and likely the last for now) to ditch the ubiquitous two staircase requirement for mid-rises. As YIMBYs turn to impediments to construction beyond zoning, Culver City is an early test case.
calmatters.org/housing/2025...
calmatters.org/housing/2025...
One California city’s idea to tackle the housing crisis: Take the stairs
For champions of more housing development, ditching the extra staircase has become a buzzy cause in fighting California's housing crisis.
calmatters.org
November 17, 2025 at 5:42 PM
I wrote about how Culver City became the first municipality in California (and likely the last for now) to ditch the ubiquitous two staircase requirement for mid-rises. As YIMBYs turn to impediments to construction beyond zoning, Culver City is an early test case.
calmatters.org/housing/2025...
calmatters.org/housing/2025...
Reposted by Levi Sumagaysay
President Donald Trump signed an executive order Friday to get rid of tariffs on a broad swath of commodities, including beef, coffee and tropical fruits. It’s part of a response to pressure from consumers who complain prices are too high.
https://to.pbs.org/47YR6L4
https://to.pbs.org/47YR6L4
Trump drops tariffs on beef, coffee, tropical fruit as pressure rises over consumer prices
President Donald Trump signed an executive order Friday to get rid of tariffs on a broad swath of commodities, including beef, coffee and tropical fruits. It's part of a response to pressure from cons...
www.pbs.org
November 15, 2025 at 12:31 AM
President Donald Trump signed an executive order Friday to get rid of tariffs on a broad swath of commodities, including beef, coffee and tropical fruits. It’s part of a response to pressure from consumers who complain prices are too high.
https://to.pbs.org/47YR6L4
https://to.pbs.org/47YR6L4
What will other Silicon Valley tech billionaires say?
Trump should release all of the Epstein files: every person and every document in the files.
November 15, 2025 at 12:31 AM
What will other Silicon Valley tech billionaires say?
Reposted by Levi Sumagaysay
Kevin Hassett on the October jobs report: "We'll maybe be able to concoct something, but we'll never actually know for sure what the unemployment rate was in October."
November 13, 2025 at 2:36 PM
Kevin Hassett on the October jobs report: "We'll maybe be able to concoct something, but we'll never actually know for sure what the unemployment rate was in October."
Reposted by Levi Sumagaysay
NBER grants to fund research into economic measurement - I find this agenda very compelling and important #linkoftheday
www.nber.org/news/nber-la...
www.nber.org/news/nber-la...
November 13, 2025 at 1:32 PM
NBER grants to fund research into economic measurement - I find this agenda very compelling and important #linkoftheday
www.nber.org/news/nber-la...
www.nber.org/news/nber-la...
"The complete moral collapse happens when access becomes everything and truth becomes nothing."
November 12, 2025 at 7:09 PM
"The complete moral collapse happens when access becomes everything and truth becomes nothing."
Reposted by Levi Sumagaysay
“We feel alone, we feel forgotten,” one L.A. fire survivor said as she called for Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara to step down. The elected Democrat counters that his reforms need time to work. bit.ly/43jCJzG
📝 @levisu.bsky.social
📸 Fred Greaves
📝 @levisu.bsky.social
📸 Fred Greaves
November 8, 2025 at 12:21 AM
“We feel alone, we feel forgotten,” one L.A. fire survivor said as she called for Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara to step down. The elected Democrat counters that his reforms need time to work. bit.ly/43jCJzG
📝 @levisu.bsky.social
📸 Fred Greaves
📝 @levisu.bsky.social
📸 Fred Greaves
Reposted by Levi Sumagaysay
November 8, 2025 at 12:45 AM
Los Angeles County fire survivors, frustrated about delayed and denied insurance claims, want CA insurance regulator Ricardo Lara to resign. They also accuse him of being too cozy with the industry. Would his exit make a difference in the state's insurance market?
calmatters.org/economy/2025...
calmatters.org/economy/2025...
'We feel alone': L.A. fire survivors call for California's insurance commissioner to resign
“We feel alone, we feel forgotten,” one L.A. fire survivor said as she called for Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara to step down. The elected Democrat counters that his reforms need time to work.
calmatters.org
November 7, 2025 at 11:46 PM
Los Angeles County fire survivors, frustrated about delayed and denied insurance claims, want CA insurance regulator Ricardo Lara to resign. They also accuse him of being too cozy with the industry. Would his exit make a difference in the state's insurance market?
calmatters.org/economy/2025...
calmatters.org/economy/2025...
Reposted by Levi Sumagaysay
BREAKING: Trump administration must fully fund food aid benefits by Friday, US judge rules reut.rs/3LtkSQz
November 6, 2025 at 9:06 PM
BREAKING: Trump administration must fully fund food aid benefits by Friday, US judge rules reut.rs/3LtkSQz
Reposted by Levi Sumagaysay
Breaking: It’s a yes for Prop. 50. California voters approved the measure to temporarily suspend the state’s nonpartisan citizens redistricting commission until 2030. bit.ly/3WAJfhI
📝 @mayacmiller.bsky.social& @jeannereporter.bsky.social
📸 Ted Soqui
📝 @mayacmiller.bsky.social& @jeannereporter.bsky.social
📸 Ted Soqui
November 5, 2025 at 4:11 AM
Breaking: It’s a yes for Prop. 50. California voters approved the measure to temporarily suspend the state’s nonpartisan citizens redistricting commission until 2030. bit.ly/3WAJfhI
📝 @mayacmiller.bsky.social& @jeannereporter.bsky.social
📸 Ted Soqui
📝 @mayacmiller.bsky.social& @jeannereporter.bsky.social
📸 Ted Soqui
Reposted by Levi Sumagaysay
oh cool an extra hour of 2025, exactly what everyone wanted
November 2, 2025 at 2:29 PM
oh cool an extra hour of 2025, exactly what everyone wanted
Reposted by Levi Sumagaysay
One California Head Start program has closed and three others face imminent closure due to the federal government shutdown, affecting about 1,000 very-low-income children and 270 teachers. bit.ly/4ofmdcf
📝 @carolynjones100.bsky.social
📸 Florence Middleton
📝 @carolynjones100.bsky.social
📸 Florence Middleton
October 31, 2025 at 10:08 PM
One California Head Start program has closed and three others face imminent closure due to the federal government shutdown, affecting about 1,000 very-low-income children and 270 teachers. bit.ly/4ofmdcf
📝 @carolynjones100.bsky.social
📸 Florence Middleton
📝 @carolynjones100.bsky.social
📸 Florence Middleton
Reposted by Levi Sumagaysay
The company behind ChatGPT is converting to a for-profit company and settling an investigation by California’s attorney general. Experts and advocates say the company could still exploit its charitable roots. bit.ly/4oJqKnd
📝 @levisu.bsky.social& @khari.bsky.social
📸 Eric Risberg, AP
📝 @levisu.bsky.social& @khari.bsky.social
📸 Eric Risberg, AP
October 31, 2025 at 1:44 AM
The company behind ChatGPT is converting to a for-profit company and settling an investigation by California’s attorney general. Experts and advocates say the company could still exploit its charitable roots. bit.ly/4oJqKnd
📝 @levisu.bsky.social& @khari.bsky.social
📸 Eric Risberg, AP
📝 @levisu.bsky.social& @khari.bsky.social
📸 Eric Risberg, AP
Reposted by Levi Sumagaysay
BREAKING: Federal judge rules that the Trump administration likely illegally suspended SNAP benefits, ruling that at least reduced distribution is required to go forward under law using the $6 billion reserve fund.
Judge gives the Trump admin until Monday to respond as to whether it will act.
Judge gives the Trump admin until Monday to respond as to whether it will act.
![UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
DISTRICT OF MASSACHUSETTS
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS ET AL.,
Plaintiffs,
V.
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE ET AL.,
Defendants.
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Civil Action No. 1:25-cv-13165-IT
MEMORANDUM AND ORDER
October 31, 2025
TALWANI, D.J.
Pending before the court is Plaintiffs' Motion for a Temporary Restraining Order [Doc.
No. 3] seeking to enjoin, on an emergency basis, Defendants' November 1, 2025 suspension of benefits under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program ("SNAP"). For the reasons stated
below, Plaintiffs have standing to bring this action and are likely to succeed on their claim that
Defendants' suspension of SNAP benefits is unlawful. Where that suspension of benefits rested
on an erroneous construction of the relevant statutory provisions, the court will allow Defendants
to consider whether they will authorize at least reduced SNAP benefits for November, and report
back to the court no later than Monday, November 3, 2025.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:36eqtmzysqf7wsslczw4uxcd/bafkreiczapq36myqhzcrdp4jfodg5rkso7nuvlta4e5b5r4l5upce7b3le@jpeg)
![As both parties acknowledge, Congress has not yet appropriated any new funds for SNAP
benefits for Fiscal Year 2026, which began on October 1, 2025. Pls.' Mem. 6 [Doc. No. 4];
Defs.' Opp'n 7 [Doc. No. 18]. But Congress took steps to protect against the deprivation of
SNAP assistance. In the 2024 Consolidated Appropriations Act, Pub. L. No. 118-42, § 6, 138
Stat. 25, 93-94, Congress separately appropriated $6 billion to the SNAP program "to remain available through September 30, 2026" and "be placed in reserve for use only in such amounts and at such times as may become necessary to carry out program operations." See also Pub. L.
No. 119-4, § 1101(a), 139 Stat. 9, 10 (2025). As Plaintiffs point out, given the mandatory nature
of SNAP benefits under 7 U.S.C. § 2014(a) and the appropriation of these funds to be available
10
Case 1:25-cv-13165-IT
Document 26 Filed 10/31/25
Page 11 of 15
through this current fiscal year, the government is obligated to use this contingent reserve
account to fund SNAP "as may become necessary to carry out program operations." 138 Stat. at
93-94; Pls.' Mem. 11 [Doc. No. 4].](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:36eqtmzysqf7wsslczw4uxcd/bafkreiac7aa6icx44x5xjkilpwj7il5oriyttttnrslzrhkwvw6b32cbnm@jpeg)
October 31, 2025 at 5:59 PM
BREAKING: Federal judge rules that the Trump administration likely illegally suspended SNAP benefits, ruling that at least reduced distribution is required to go forward under law using the $6 billion reserve fund.
Judge gives the Trump admin until Monday to respond as to whether it will act.
Judge gives the Trump admin until Monday to respond as to whether it will act.
A must-read.
Once upon a time, California showed that you can reduce drunk driving deaths simply by trying. Now, the state’s headed backward.
And as deaths have increased, law enforcement has done less: DUI arrests statewide dropped from nearly 200K in 2010 to 100K in 2020.
1/6
And as deaths have increased, law enforcement has done less: DUI arrests statewide dropped from nearly 200K in 2010 to 100K in 2020.
1/6
October 30, 2025 at 11:14 PM
A must-read.
No! OMCA is my favorite California museum.
October 30, 2025 at 7:39 PM
No! OMCA is my favorite California museum.
Reposted by Levi Sumagaysay
Even if Congress approves Adan Schiff's or Doug LaMalfa’s legislation, the hospital is still left with another problem: reopening a closed facility requires cash, and lots of it. bit.ly/4qzZGZd
📸 Chris Kaufman
📸 Chris Kaufman
October 29, 2025 at 7:01 PM
Even if Congress approves Adan Schiff's or Doug LaMalfa’s legislation, the hospital is still left with another problem: reopening a closed facility requires cash, and lots of it. bit.ly/4qzZGZd
📸 Chris Kaufman
📸 Chris Kaufman