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Rick Bates

@ricksb

Policy and politics; labor, housing, transit, climate, sustainability.

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14.08.2023
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Latest posts by Rick Bates @ricksb

Death, taxes, the Ravens shooting themselves in the foot in big games

05.01.2026 03:23 πŸ‘ 2028 πŸ” 143 πŸ’¬ 151 πŸ“Œ 24

Craziest 55 seconds I’ve seen in long, long time.

05.01.2026 04:37 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0

Wish granted! πŸ˜…

05.01.2026 04:19 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

Welp. He found Flowers!!!

05.01.2026 03:57 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0
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Another poll shows two Republicans leading governor’s race. Should CA Dems fret? In California’s top-two primary system, it’s possible that two Republicans could advance to the general election and lock out Democrats.

β€œIn the open primary world, you can’t handicap a race until you know who’s in it, and the filing period is open until March,” Acosta said. β€œI don’t think only two candidates will split the 40% of votes that typically go to Republicans” in statewide races.
www.sacbee.com/news/politic...

22.12.2025 03:01 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Opinion | California’s freeways are fueling its housing crisis Caltrans construction forces families from homes and neighborhoods, though its efforts to widen freeways don’t seem to reduce traffic jams.

β€œRecent state data shows that from 2018 to 2023, Caltrans demolished 623 homes and businesses to make way for 13 projects to expand freeways. The vast majority of the lost homes were in low-income communities of color, primarily in Los Angeles County.” calmatters.org/commentary/2...

17.12.2025 06:59 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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In an Upset, Democrats Oust Two Republicans on Georgia’s Utility Board The races for two of the five seats on the Georgia Public Service Commission are seen as a bellwether for the midterms.

In an upset, Democrats ousted two Republican members of Georgia’s utility board on Tuesday, according to preliminary results from secretary of state's office. The races for two of the five seats on the Georgia Public Service Commission are seen as a bellwether for the midterms.

05.11.2025 04:35 πŸ‘ 479 πŸ” 71 πŸ’¬ 10 πŸ“Œ 11
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Coalition of California lawmakers proposes fixes to sweeping CEQA rollback Lawmakers and environmental advocates have been calling for β€˜clean-up’ to the legislation since before it passed.

CA Assemblymember Damon Connolly (@asmdamonconnolly.bsky.social) is leading a coalition of 22 California senators and assembly members in a plan to amend the CEQA rollback bill, Senate Bill 131.

Read more at: www.sacbee.com/news/politic... www.sacbee.com/news/politic...

13.09.2025 07:10 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

This should be the trend across California (and the country). Local governments that really care and are actually doing something to keep their communities from being torn apart by senseless, and often violent, ICE raids.

27.08.2025 14:55 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Newsom: We got here because the President is struggling. We got here because the President is one of the most unpopular presidents in U.S. history. We got here because he recognizes that he will lose the election.

21.08.2025 23:12 πŸ‘ 33201 πŸ” 8676 πŸ’¬ 642 πŸ“Œ 380
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Newsom Signs California Redistricting Plan to Counter Texas Republicans Gov. Gavin Newsom and Democratic state lawmakers moved quickly to create new districts that could help their party flip five congressional seats. Their plan still requires voter approval.

New York - (and every other deep blue state with Democratic governors)- you need to be up next.

22.08.2025 00:28 πŸ‘ 78 πŸ” 17 πŸ’¬ 4 πŸ“Œ 1
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Newsom makes it official: Californians will vote on new congressional maps Nov. 4 Similar efforts have now spread to both blue and red states like Indiana, Missouri, Maryland and New York.

And just like that, it’s up to Californians to save the bones of our nation’s democracy.
www.sacbee.com/news/politic...

22.08.2025 02:27 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Rep. Darrell Issa May Be Losing a District. Again. Newsom’s MAGNIFICENT MAPS Erase GOP Advantages

open.substack.com/pub/thejumpi...

19.08.2025 14:54 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Union leaders get tough with Democrats as members drift toward Trump - Hawaii Tribune-Herald Union leaders get tough with Democrats as members drift toward Trump - Nation and World News | Hawaii Tribune-Herald

www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/2025/08/10/n...

11.08.2025 17:03 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Tiny gut β€œsponge” bacteria found to flush out toxic PFAS β€œforever chemicals” Cambridge scientists have spotted gut bacteria that greedily soak up PFAS β€œforever chemicals,” then ferry them safely out of the body in animal tests, removing up to three-quarters of the toxins withi...

www.sciencedaily.com/releases/202...

14.07.2025 00:59 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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James Gunn’s Superman Soars With Hope for a Fractured World | Peliplat Superman begins with a scene normally left for some epic third-act twist: Our hero lies in the snow, bloody and bruised, minutes after he’s been defeated for th

In a time of rising division, endless wars, & crushing cynicism, this #SUPERMAN offers belief. It doesn’t do this in brute strength, but in kindness. In moral courage. In choosing hope over fear. It’s thrilling, deeply sincere, & moving. My review #FilmSky: www.peliplat.com/en/article/1...

12.07.2025 00:42 πŸ‘ 238 πŸ” 37 πŸ’¬ 8 πŸ“Œ 2
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Trash Overflows in Philadelphia as City Workers’ Strike Enters Second Week Pungent odors permeate the City of Brotherly Love as a contract impasse between the city and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees continues.

A strike by Philadelphia’s largest public sector union entered its second week on Tuesday, disrupting garbage collection and a host of other services in the nation’s sixth most populous city.

08.07.2025 23:30 πŸ‘ 101 πŸ” 25 πŸ’¬ 6 πŸ“Œ 4
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Philly is in its first municipal strike in the social media age. Does that affect how events are unfolding? So far, the national press has largely ignored Philadelphia's first strike by city workers since 1986.

It’s honestly so disrespectful and irresponsible that the national media has mostly ignored the DC33 city worker strike in Philly so far. It’s a huge story with massive implications for the 6th biggest city in the country.

Hell, I’ll write about it for ya! Email me! www.inquirer.com/politics/phi...

07.07.2025 09:37 πŸ‘ 1894 πŸ” 613 πŸ’¬ 22 πŸ“Œ 25
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More housing means more opportunity. More opportunity means a better future. We’re for a better future. We’re for more housing.

17.06.2025 04:44 πŸ‘ 50 πŸ” 7 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0
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Trump officials reverse guidance exempting farms, hotels from immigration raids

ICE agents have been told to continue conducting enforcement operations at agricultural businesses despite concerns about negative effects on the food industry.

Washington Post screenshot Trump officials reverse guidance exempting farms, hotels from immigration raids ICE agents have been told to continue conducting enforcement operations at agricultural businesses despite concerns about negative effects on the food industry.

A β€œshift” never happened. A chaotic raid at a worksite and a warrantless sweep in our communities have the same outcome. Bullshit rhetoric aside, they’re hunting us down while we’re trying to feed you.

Who’s actually in charge?

17.06.2025 04:53 πŸ‘ 4274 πŸ” 1521 πŸ’¬ 116 πŸ“Œ 71
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ICE raids in San Diego foreshadowed the roundups, protests now spreading across California | Opinion As immigration enforcement escalated in San Diego, a dramatic raid in one neighborhood prompted a remarkable response from its residents.

Commentary:

As immigration enforcement escalated in recent weeks in San Diego, a dramatic raid in one neighborhood led to a remarkable response from nearby residents. buff.ly/h3GCsZR

πŸ“ Pedro Rios

13.06.2025 16:54 πŸ‘ 13 πŸ” 4 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Rasquache Style: How Mexicans Make Art Out of Anything From "Sunshine/Noir III: Writing from San Diego and Tijuana" (City Works Press, 2025)

Rasquache Style: How Mexicans Make Art Out of Anything open.substack.com/pub/thejumpi...

13.06.2025 16:57 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Can Trump deploy troops in LA? A federal judge hears Newsom's case today Gov. Newsom argues Los Angeles does not need the military to keep the peace: "To put it bluntly, there is no invasion or rebellion in Los Angeles; there is civil unrest that is no different from episo...

Federal judge halts Trump’s National Guard deployment in Los Angeles - β€œThe president is of course limited to his authority,” Breyer said. β€œThat’s the difference between a constitutional government and King George.” calmatters.org/justice/2025...

13.06.2025 01:12 πŸ‘ 3 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Sen. Alex Padilla is forcibly removed from DHS Secretary Kristi Noem's news conference in Los Angeles Noem was in L.A. to address the ongoing demonstrations protesting President Donald Trump's immigration policies.

β€œSenate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., denounced the incident on the Senate floor. "I just saw something that sickened my stomach. The manhandling of a United States Senator, we need immediate answers to what the hell went on," he said.” www.nbcnews.com/politics/con...

12.06.2025 19:13 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

If you are dumb or naive enough to believe the grifters on the right who tell you they’re oppose to immigration because it drives down wages for native-born workers, just ask them 1) if they support raising the minimum wage and 2) how come the GOP doesn’t? Go ahead.

12.06.2025 14:08 πŸ‘ 10935 πŸ” 2718 πŸ’¬ 282 πŸ“Œ 66
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Questions raised about ICE and CBP agents at Club World Cup games The FIFA Club World Cup kicks off Saturday at Hard Rock Stadium, with InterMiami playing a team from Egypt. The Department of Homeland Security announced that ICE and CBP personnel would be at the gam...

What a way to encourage foreign tourists to visit the World Cup next year
www.nbcmiami.com/news/local/q...

11.06.2025 19:24 πŸ‘ 287 πŸ” 88 πŸ’¬ 27 πŸ“Œ 7
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What to know about the California union leader who was arrested at an immigration protest He leads a union that's a big player in the California Capitol, where it presses to raise wages for workers in many careers.

"Hard-working people, and members of our family and our community, are being treated like criminals," Huerta said. "We all collectively have to object to this madness because this is not justice." calmatters.org/justice/2025...

09.06.2025 19:11 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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2025 MIT class president banned from graduation ceremony after pro-Palestinian speech | CNN The 2025 class president of MIT was barred from attending her graduation ceremony on Friday after delivering a speech denouncing the war in Gaza at a commencement event the day before.

The 2025 class president of MIT was barred from attending her graduation ceremony after delivering a speech denouncing the war in Gaza at a commencement event the day before: cnn.it/43GWlge

01.06.2025 17:42 πŸ‘ 1799 πŸ” 605 πŸ’¬ 209 πŸ“Œ 149
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Against all odds, Joni Ernst has made it worse

31.05.2025 20:53 πŸ‘ 20152 πŸ” 4529 πŸ’¬ 7050 πŸ“Œ 4459