Sophia Bollag
@sophiabollag.bsky.social
California politics reporter for the San Francisco Chronicle
California faces an $18B deficit – and the threat of an AI bubble, according to a new report from the LAO, which prepares budget estimates for the state Legislature www.sfchronicle.com/politics/art...
California faces $18B deficit and could be relying too much on AI, top fiscal analyst says
If the AI bubble pops it could blow a hole in the state’s budget, according to a report from the Legislature’s fiscal analyst released Wednesday.
www.sfchronicle.com
November 19, 2025 at 7:05 PM
California faces an $18B deficit – and the threat of an AI bubble, according to a new report from the LAO, which prepares budget estimates for the state Legislature www.sfchronicle.com/politics/art...
Reposted by Sophia Bollag
SCOOP from @sophiabollag.bsky.social: As part of the FBI's probe of Gov. Gavin Newsom's ex-chief of staff, it intercepted comms from within the governor's office. www.sfchronicle.com/politics/art...
FBI intercepted communications within Gavin Newsom’s office in probe of former aide
The FBI has notified some current and former members of the Newsom administration that agents intercepted their communications as part of its investigation of the governor’s former chief of staff.
www.sfchronicle.com
November 18, 2025 at 10:27 PM
SCOOP from @sophiabollag.bsky.social: As part of the FBI's probe of Gov. Gavin Newsom's ex-chief of staff, it intercepted comms from within the governor's office. www.sfchronicle.com/politics/art...
Following @liaoffleash.bsky.social's reporting that the FBI told several lobbyists it intercepted their communications as part of its investigation into Newsom's former chief of staff, Newsom's office confirms some members of his admin were also notified: www.sfchronicle.com/politics/art...
FBI intercepted communications within Gavin Newsom’s office in probe of former aide
The FBI has notified some current and former members of the Newsom administration that agents intercepted their communications as part of its investigation of the governor’s former chief of staff.
www.sfchronicle.com
November 18, 2025 at 10:28 PM
Following @liaoffleash.bsky.social's reporting that the FBI told several lobbyists it intercepted their communications as part of its investigation into Newsom's former chief of staff, Newsom's office confirms some members of his admin were also notified: www.sfchronicle.com/politics/art...
Crypto bros spent millions attacking Katie Porter. Now she’s winning some over, @joegarofoli.bsky.social writes: www.sfchronicle.com/politics/joe...
Crypto bros spent millions attacking Katie Porter. Now she’s winning some over
Katie Porter’s outreach to billionaire Chris Larsen and other figures in the business community could help her campaign survive a critical juncture.
www.sfchronicle.com
November 17, 2025 at 5:57 PM
Crypto bros spent millions attacking Katie Porter. Now she’s winning some over, @joegarofoli.bsky.social writes: www.sfchronicle.com/politics/joe...
Reposted by Sophia Bollag
In recent months, as Newsom grew his national profile, his rhetoric has also become increasingly biblical, writes @sophiabollag.bsky.social: www.sfchronicle.com/politics/art...
As Gavin Newsom’s national profile grows, his rhetoric is getting more biblical
Gavin Newsom’s rhetoric has become strikingly biblical as he has elevated his national profile. It could be a strategic move as he tries to appeal to voters in swing states who may be more...
www.sfchronicle.com
November 14, 2025 at 6:55 PM
In recent months, as Newsom grew his national profile, his rhetoric has also become increasingly biblical, writes @sophiabollag.bsky.social: www.sfchronicle.com/politics/art...
The evolution of Prop 50 — which went from a vague, half-baked idea to a resounding victory in less than four months — is a big win for Newsom as he sets his sights on life after the governor’s office www.sfchronicle.com/politics/art...
Here’s just how big a victory Prop 50’s passage is for Newsom
The governor’s victory lap Tuesday represents a remarkable evolution for a campaign that began to take shape less than four months ago.
www.sfchronicle.com
November 5, 2025 at 7:05 PM
The evolution of Prop 50 — which went from a vague, half-baked idea to a resounding victory in less than four months — is a big win for Newsom as he sets his sights on life after the governor’s office www.sfchronicle.com/politics/art...
Reposted by Sophia Bollag
BREAKING: Alex Padilla tells reporters in DC he will not run for governor of California in 2026. www.sfchronicle.com/politics/art...
Alex Padilla will not run for California governor
Alex Padilla, the first Latino to represent California in the U.S. Senate, will not run for governor in 2026, he said Tuesday.
www.sfchronicle.com
November 4, 2025 at 8:35 PM
BREAKING: Alex Padilla tells reporters in DC he will not run for governor of California in 2026. www.sfchronicle.com/politics/art...
Reposted by Sophia Bollag
Scene from Coast Guard Island, courtesy of @stephenlamphoto.bsky.social, who’s always at the front line of any major disaster
October 23, 2025 at 3:42 PM
Scene from Coast Guard Island, courtesy of @stephenlamphoto.bsky.social, who’s always at the front line of any major disaster
California-branded insulin will soon hit the shelves. Newsom says GLP-1s could be next www.sfchronicle.com/health/artic...
California-branded insulin will soon hit the shelves. Newsom says GLP-1s could be next
Lower-cost insulin manufactured by the state of California will be available to consumers starting Jan. 1, 2026, for about $11 per pen.
www.sfchronicle.com
October 16, 2025 at 9:09 PM
California-branded insulin will soon hit the shelves. Newsom says GLP-1s could be next www.sfchronicle.com/health/artic...
Reposted by Sophia Bollag
Days after @gavinnewsom.bsky.social threatened to withdraw from the National Governors Association, its Republican leader denounced Trump’s interstate National Guard deployments
www.sfchronicle.com/politics/art...
www.sfchronicle.com/politics/art...
Newsom urged governors to speak out against interstate troop deployments. A key Republican just did
Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt's comments follow threats by Govs. Gavin Newsom and JB Pritzker to leave the National Governors Association.
www.sfchronicle.com
October 9, 2025 at 10:54 PM
Days after @gavinnewsom.bsky.social threatened to withdraw from the National Governors Association, its Republican leader denounced Trump’s interstate National Guard deployments
www.sfchronicle.com/politics/art...
www.sfchronicle.com/politics/art...
The same day Democrats released proposed new congressional maps, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth sent Newsom and the head of the California National Guard a letter saying 300 troops would remain under federal control through Nov. 4. www.sfchronicle.com/politics/art...
Newsom warns of possible Trump interference in California’s special election
As Election Day approaches, Gov. Gavin Newsom is raising concerns that the president may try to interfere in California’s special election to redraw congressional districts.
www.sfchronicle.com
October 8, 2025 at 6:58 PM
The same day Democrats released proposed new congressional maps, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth sent Newsom and the head of the California National Guard a letter saying 300 troops would remain under federal control through Nov. 4. www.sfchronicle.com/politics/art...
NEW: California National Guard troops sent to Chicago to help train soldiers from other states www.sfchronicle.com/politics/art...
California National Guard troops sent to Chicago to help train soldiers from other states
Attorney General Rob Bonta says President Trump’s decision to send California troops to other states undermines his original rationale for federalizing the National Guard.
www.sfchronicle.com
October 8, 2025 at 4:55 PM
NEW: California National Guard troops sent to Chicago to help train soldiers from other states www.sfchronicle.com/politics/art...
Reposted by Sophia Bollag
SCOOP from @sophiabollag.bsky.social: Donald Trump is sending California National Guard members to Portland. Gov. Gavin Newsom says he's weighing another lawsuit over it. www.sfchronicle.com/politics/art...
Exclusive: Trump is sending California National Guard troops to Portland, Newsom says
Gov. Gavin Newsom said his administration may sue over the move, depending on what the soldiers are asked to do there.
www.sfchronicle.com
October 4, 2025 at 2:48 AM
SCOOP from @sophiabollag.bsky.social: Donald Trump is sending California National Guard members to Portland. Gov. Gavin Newsom says he's weighing another lawsuit over it. www.sfchronicle.com/politics/art...
Exclusive: Trump is sending California National Guard troops to Portland, Newsom says
www.sfchronicle.com/politics/art...
www.sfchronicle.com/politics/art...
Exclusive: Trump is sending California National Guard troops to Portland, Newsom says
Gov. Gavin Newsom said his administration may sue over the move, depending on what the soldiers are asked to do there.
www.sfchronicle.com
October 4, 2025 at 2:50 AM
Exclusive: Trump is sending California National Guard troops to Portland, Newsom says
www.sfchronicle.com/politics/art...
www.sfchronicle.com/politics/art...
Reposted by Sophia Bollag
A great dispatch from the mean streets of Portland from @joegarofoli.bsky.social, where Oregonians are not interested in taking Trump's bait. www.sfchronicle.com/politics/joe...
As Trump readies military troops, Portland isn’t taking the bait
Many people in Portland believe President Trump is trying to incite an aggressive response from residents to show that “blue cities” are out of control.
www.sfchronicle.com
September 30, 2025 at 11:04 PM
A great dispatch from the mean streets of Portland from @joegarofoli.bsky.social, where Oregonians are not interested in taking Trump's bait. www.sfchronicle.com/politics/joe...
Reposted by Sophia Bollag
Both Newsom and Trump are calling for widespread homeless encampment sweeps and deploying law enforcement to local communities to crack down on crime, though neither man acknowledges the similarities, @sophiabollag.bsky.social writes
www.sfchronicle.com/politics/art...
www.sfchronicle.com/politics/art...
Newsom and Trump are closer on crime, homelessness than either might admit
The moves by President Donald Trump and Gov. Gavin Newsom reflect a yearslong shift in California politics and across the country toward pro-law enforcement, punitive criminal justice policies.
www.sfchronicle.com
September 30, 2025 at 2:30 PM
Both Newsom and Trump are calling for widespread homeless encampment sweeps and deploying law enforcement to local communities to crack down on crime, though neither man acknowledges the similarities, @sophiabollag.bsky.social writes
www.sfchronicle.com/politics/art...
www.sfchronicle.com/politics/art...
Environmental justice advocates say California missed an opportunity to advance its clean air goals against a hostile Trump administration and resurgent oil industry, @raheemfh.bsky.social reports www.sfchronicle.com/politics/art...
Newsom stakes claim as U.S. climate leader. Some back home no longer buy it
Environmental justice advocates say California missed an opportunity to advance its clean air goals against a hostile Trump administration and resurgent oil industry.
www.sfchronicle.com
September 29, 2025 at 4:13 PM
Environmental justice advocates say California missed an opportunity to advance its clean air goals against a hostile Trump administration and resurgent oil industry, @raheemfh.bsky.social reports www.sfchronicle.com/politics/art...
In the battle over redistricting in California, supporters led by Gov. Gavin Newsom have amassed a huge network of more than 65,000 individual donors, campaign finance filings released Friday show, compared with about 130 donors reported by opponents. www.sfchronicle.com/politics/art...
This side of the Prop 50 fight has 500 times more donors than the other, new numbers show
Both campaigns have spent tens of millions of dollars to flood California with advertisements.
www.sfchronicle.com
September 26, 2025 at 8:28 PM
In the battle over redistricting in California, supporters led by Gov. Gavin Newsom have amassed a huge network of more than 65,000 individual donors, campaign finance filings released Friday show, compared with about 130 donors reported by opponents. www.sfchronicle.com/politics/art...
This morning, @governor.ca.gov Gavin Newsom announced another international climate agreement, this time with Kenya. More on Newsom's international climate strategy in this story we published yesterday - www.sfchronicle.com/politics/art...
In New York, Newsom tries ‘filling the void’ left by Trump on climate leadership
Gavin Newsom has long used climate issues as a springboard for his own visibility, but the events in New York have put the strategy — and his vastly different approach from Trump — on full...
www.sfchronicle.com
September 25, 2025 at 3:58 PM
This morning, @governor.ca.gov Gavin Newsom announced another international climate agreement, this time with Kenya. More on Newsom's international climate strategy in this story we published yesterday - www.sfchronicle.com/politics/art...
In New York, Newsom tries ‘filling the void’ left by Trump on climate leadership
www.sfchronicle.com/politics/art...
www.sfchronicle.com/politics/art...
In New York, Newsom tries ‘filling the void’ left by Trump on climate leadership
Newsom has long used climate issues as a springboard for his own visibility, but the events in New York have put the strategy — and his vastly different approach from Trump — on full display.
www.sfchronicle.com
September 24, 2025 at 7:08 PM
In New York, Newsom tries ‘filling the void’ left by Trump on climate leadership
www.sfchronicle.com/politics/art...
www.sfchronicle.com/politics/art...
Reposted by Sophia Bollag
California Republicans have rejected 10 bills to create independent redistricting commissions over the last two decades. Now that Prop 50 is going before voters, they've changed their tune. www.sfchronicle.com/politics/art...
www.sfchronicle.com
September 18, 2025 at 4:10 PM
California Republicans have rejected 10 bills to create independent redistricting commissions over the last two decades. Now that Prop 50 is going before voters, they've changed their tune. www.sfchronicle.com/politics/art...
In the last 16 years, votes on all 10 measures to transfer redistricting power from politicians to independent commissions have gone the same way in the California Legislature: Republicans voted no while Democrats voted yes. With Prop 50, that dynamic flipped.
www.sfchronicle.com/politics/art...
www.sfchronicle.com/politics/art...
California Republicans hated independent redistricting commissions — until Prop 50
Both parties’ positions on Prop 50 illustrate how party politics always shape redistricting fights, even when the fights are over efforts to hand map-drawing power to independent groups.
www.sfchronicle.com
September 18, 2025 at 4:09 PM
In the last 16 years, votes on all 10 measures to transfer redistricting power from politicians to independent commissions have gone the same way in the California Legislature: Republicans voted no while Democrats voted yes. With Prop 50, that dynamic flipped.
www.sfchronicle.com/politics/art...
www.sfchronicle.com/politics/art...
@joegarofoli.bsky.social explains why one major Democratic group is prioritizing candidates who have struggled financially: www.sfchronicle.com/politics/joe...
A major Democratic group says 2026 candidates should have this one quality
One clear message Democrats have heard since November’s electoral debacle is that voters want candidates who are fighters. But leaders at Emily’s List said there’s another big factor voters...
www.sfchronicle.com
September 15, 2025 at 4:41 PM
@joegarofoli.bsky.social explains why one major Democratic group is prioritizing candidates who have struggled financially: www.sfchronicle.com/politics/joe...
‘Worse than doing nothing’: Online safety advocates slam changes to AI chatbot bill, @katewolffe.bsky.social reports
www.sacbee.com/news/politic...
www.sacbee.com/news/politic...
‘Worse than doing nothing’: Online safety advocates slam changes to AI chatbot bill
“This was a very disappointing but quite obvious capitulation to highly paid big tech lobbyists,” said one former supporter.
www.sacbee.com
September 12, 2025 at 8:01 PM
‘Worse than doing nothing’: Online safety advocates slam changes to AI chatbot bill, @katewolffe.bsky.social reports
www.sacbee.com/news/politic...
www.sacbee.com/news/politic...
As California lawmakers finish their work for the year, the threat of possible vetoes looms especially large as federal cuts and budget pressures intensify demand for limited state funding. www.sfchronicle.com/politics/art...
California lawmakers pass a final flurry of bills, these are Newsom’s potential veto targets
Bills at particular risk for a veto include ones with high price tags, which Gov. Gavin Newsom frequently targets. That’s especially true in a tough budget year for California.
www.sfchronicle.com
September 12, 2025 at 4:55 PM
As California lawmakers finish their work for the year, the threat of possible vetoes looms especially large as federal cuts and budget pressures intensify demand for limited state funding. www.sfchronicle.com/politics/art...