Liam Dillon
@liamjdillon.com
Covering housing in Los Angeles and California for POLITICO.
The author of California's landmark housing legislation SB 79 has not ruled out delaying its effective date past July because of confusion surrounding the law's language and the political difficulty in passing cleanup bills www.politico.com/news/2026/02...
California's blockbuster housing legislation faces rocky rollout
State Sen. Scott Wiener, the author of Senate Bill 79, has not ruled out postponing the July 1 implementation date for the new law because of widespread confusion over what it requires.
www.politico.com
February 10, 2026 at 7:22 PM
The author of California's landmark housing legislation SB 79 has not ruled out delaying its effective date past July because of confusion surrounding the law's language and the political difficulty in passing cleanup bills www.politico.com/news/2026/02...
Big research effort from @ternerhousing.bsky.social showing that California's byzantine process for financing low-income housing is a major outlier nationally that delays new affordable developments and makes them more expensive to build ternercenter.berkeley.edu/blog/the-cos...
The Cost of Fragmentation: A Comparison of State Affordable Housing Finance Governance Systems - Terner Center
To finance and build affordable housing, developers across the United States need to assemble multiple funding sources at the federal, state, and local levels. Public funding sources can be administer...
ternercenter.berkeley.edu
February 10, 2026 at 5:54 PM
Big research effort from @ternerhousing.bsky.social showing that California's byzantine process for financing low-income housing is a major outlier nationally that delays new affordable developments and makes them more expensive to build ternercenter.berkeley.edu/blog/the-cos...
Reposted by Liam Dillon
In 2016, when Post reporter Jason Rezaian was freed after spending 1.5 years in Iranian prison, Jeff Bezos personally flew him back on his private plane. Bezos used it as a photo op.
Now, Bezos is leaving people he laid off overseas in a lurch.
bsky.app/profile/myhl...
Now, Bezos is leaving people he laid off overseas in a lurch.
bsky.app/profile/myhl...
We have launched a new fundraiser to support The Washington Post's courageous international employees and local staff who were laid off, who are not eligible for Guild protections, and who face additional logistical challenges and security risks.
Please give & share widely:
gofund.me/e765aab9f
Please give & share widely:
gofund.me/e765aab9f
Donate to Support for Washington Post international employees, organized by Michelle Lee
Among the hundreds of journalists laid off by The Washington Post on … Michelle Lee needs your support for Support for Washington Post international employees
gofund.me
February 8, 2026 at 5:22 AM
In 2016, when Post reporter Jason Rezaian was freed after spending 1.5 years in Iranian prison, Jeff Bezos personally flew him back on his private plane. Bezos used it as a photo op.
Now, Bezos is leaving people he laid off overseas in a lurch.
bsky.app/profile/myhl...
Now, Bezos is leaving people he laid off overseas in a lurch.
bsky.app/profile/myhl...
The final twist in
@gavinnewsom.bsky.social’s #grasshoppergate. Actually he was trying to quote a French poem when he accused the president of pissing on grasshoppers to hear them sing. www.politico.com/news/2026/02...
@gavinnewsom.bsky.social’s #grasshoppergate. Actually he was trying to quote a French poem when he accused the president of pissing on grasshoppers to hear them sing. www.politico.com/news/2026/02...
The curious case of Newsom’s singing French grasshoppers
An odd turn-of-phrase from the governor at a press conference left linguists and a reporter scratching their heads.
www.politico.com
February 7, 2026 at 9:13 PM
The final twist in
@gavinnewsom.bsky.social’s #grasshoppergate. Actually he was trying to quote a French poem when he accused the president of pissing on grasshoppers to hear them sing. www.politico.com/news/2026/02...
@gavinnewsom.bsky.social’s #grasshoppergate. Actually he was trying to quote a French poem when he accused the president of pissing on grasshoppers to hear them sing. www.politico.com/news/2026/02...
I gave @politico.com PRO subscribers yesterday my takes on the state of LA's wildfire recovery, Gov. Gavin Newsom's record on housing and homelessness and what some of the key housing affordability issues are in California. Subscribers have access here: subscriber.politicopro.com/article/2026...
POLITICO Pro: California housing policy, wildfire rebuilding and the Newsom record
Takeaways from this week’s Pro subscriber briefing.
subscriber.politicopro.com
February 6, 2026 at 9:02 PM
I gave @politico.com PRO subscribers yesterday my takes on the state of LA's wildfire recovery, Gov. Gavin Newsom's record on housing and homelessness and what some of the key housing affordability issues are in California. Subscribers have access here: subscriber.politicopro.com/article/2026...
So Gavin Newsom's "piss on the grasshoppers to hear them sing" actually sounds like a literal English translation of a French idiom. But it's not actually a French idiom! Like how did he come up with this collection of words? www.politico.com/newsletters/...
Newsom says Trump is pissing on what?
www.politico.com
February 5, 2026 at 11:11 PM
So Gavin Newsom's "piss on the grasshoppers to hear them sing" actually sounds like a literal English translation of a French idiom. But it's not actually a French idiom! Like how did he come up with this collection of words? www.politico.com/newsletters/...
BREAKING: Governor's "French phrase" not actually a "French phrase"
“He wasn’t saying it was a ‘French saying,’” a Newsom spokesperson said. “He was saying, like, ‘Pardon my French.’ Because he said ‘piss.’” www.politico.com/newsletters/...
“He wasn’t saying it was a ‘French saying,’” a Newsom spokesperson said. “He was saying, like, ‘Pardon my French.’ Because he said ‘piss.’” www.politico.com/newsletters/...
Newsom says Trump is pissing on what?
www.politico.com
February 5, 2026 at 9:20 PM
BREAKING: Governor's "French phrase" not actually a "French phrase"
“He wasn’t saying it was a ‘French saying,’” a Newsom spokesperson said. “He was saying, like, ‘Pardon my French.’ Because he said ‘piss.’” www.politico.com/newsletters/...
“He wasn’t saying it was a ‘French saying,’” a Newsom spokesperson said. “He was saying, like, ‘Pardon my French.’ Because he said ‘piss.’” www.politico.com/newsletters/...
Reposted by Liam Dillon
While reporting this, I had something happen that's never happened. A comms rep for one of the co's disputed my reporting and said what I was telling them was untrue because it was not in Grok, xAI's chatbot.
I was looking directly at the files. And this person was using AI to challenge the truth.
I was looking directly at the files. And this person was using AI to challenge the truth.
Epstein had many known connections to Silicon Valley CEOs, but less known was how he made money from those relationships.
We did a deep dive into how he got dealflow in Silicon Valley, giving him shots to invest in Coinbase, Palantir, SpaceX and other companies.
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/05/b...
We did a deep dive into how he got dealflow in Silicon Valley, giving him shots to invest in Coinbase, Palantir, SpaceX and other companies.
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/05/b...
Jeffrey Epstein’s Money Mingled With Silicon Valley Start-Ups
www.nytimes.com
February 5, 2026 at 5:38 PM
While reporting this, I had something happen that's never happened. A comms rep for one of the co's disputed my reporting and said what I was telling them was untrue because it was not in Grok, xAI's chatbot.
I was looking directly at the files. And this person was using AI to challenge the truth.
I was looking directly at the files. And this person was using AI to challenge the truth.
Trump's EPA administrator Lee Zeldin told LA leaders yesterday that they might have better luck getting wildfire recovery dollars if they broke with Gov. @gavinnewsom.bsky.social. For @politico.com PRO subscribers subscriber.politicopro.com/article/2026...
POLITICO Pro: Zeldin to LA: If you want wildfire recovery money, ditch Newsom
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency administrator said that wildfire-scarred local governments might have better success in unlocking federal dollars if they abandoned the governor's $33 billion ...
subscriber.politicopro.com
February 5, 2026 at 4:51 PM
Trump's EPA administrator Lee Zeldin told LA leaders yesterday that they might have better luck getting wildfire recovery dollars if they broke with Gov. @gavinnewsom.bsky.social. For @politico.com PRO subscribers subscriber.politicopro.com/article/2026...
My first job in journalism was taking box scores for the
@washingtonpost.com’s high school sports section. Can say with certainty that I wouldn’t be a journalist now without that opportunity. So saddened by today’s awful news
@washingtonpost.com’s high school sports section. Can say with certainty that I wouldn’t be a journalist now without that opportunity. So saddened by today’s awful news
February 4, 2026 at 2:49 PM
My first job in journalism was taking box scores for the
@washingtonpost.com’s high school sports section. Can say with certainty that I wouldn’t be a journalist now without that opportunity. So saddened by today’s awful news
@washingtonpost.com’s high school sports section. Can say with certainty that I wouldn’t be a journalist now without that opportunity. So saddened by today’s awful news
A debate over LA's "mansion tax" is playing out in City Hall, the state Capitol and on the streets with signature gatherers. I did a quick Q&A with LA Councilmember @cd4losangeles.bsky.social to talk about her surprise attempt at changes to the tax last week www.politico.com/newsletters/...
Inside LA’s ‘mansion tax’ brawl
www.politico.com
February 2, 2026 at 9:33 PM
A debate over LA's "mansion tax" is playing out in City Hall, the state Capitol and on the streets with signature gatherers. I did a quick Q&A with LA Councilmember @cd4losangeles.bsky.social to talk about her surprise attempt at changes to the tax last week www.politico.com/newsletters/...
The most Newsom quote ever to Newsom: “This is me taking the mask off. And it’s not just me taking a mask off and then sanitizing what’s underneath. It’s scrutinizing what’s underneath. It’s stress-testing it, and it’s trying to crack it open further and further.” www.politico.com/news/2026/02...
Gavin Newsom opens the oppo book in his new memoir
“Young Man in a Hurry” focuses on the personal more than the political, but Newsom’s likely 2028 run is the undeniable subtext.
www.politico.com
February 1, 2026 at 6:15 PM
The most Newsom quote ever to Newsom: “This is me taking the mask off. And it’s not just me taking a mask off and then sanitizing what’s underneath. It’s scrutinizing what’s underneath. It’s stress-testing it, and it’s trying to crack it open further and further.” www.politico.com/news/2026/02...
"I have spent my entire career covering the news,” Don Lemon, the former CNN anchor, told a crowd of press and supporters in the courtyard of the Edward R. Roybal Federal Building and United States Courthouse in downtown Los Angeles. “I will not stop now." www.politico.com/news/2026/01...
Don Lemon vows to fight charges in First Amendment showdown with Trump
Lemon, held in custody overnight, spoke to supporters in Los Angeles following his release and first court appearance.
www.politico.com
January 31, 2026 at 12:27 AM
"I have spent my entire career covering the news,” Don Lemon, the former CNN anchor, told a crowd of press and supporters in the courtyard of the Edward R. Roybal Federal Building and United States Courthouse in downtown Los Angeles. “I will not stop now." www.politico.com/news/2026/01...
Great overview from @nytimes.com on where the national homelessness numbers stand — despite no official release from HUD yet. As experts believed, the numbers are down in the last year of Biden's term with much of it attributable to the waning migrant crisis www.nytimes.com/2026/01/28/u...
Homelessness Appears to Decline, Reversing a Yearslong Trend
www.nytimes.com
January 30, 2026 at 1:58 AM
Great overview from @nytimes.com on where the national homelessness numbers stand — despite no official release from HUD yet. As experts believed, the numbers are down in the last year of Biden's term with much of it attributable to the waning migrant crisis www.nytimes.com/2026/01/28/u...
Oh no this is awful news. An unbelievably eclectic, funny and curious writer and knower of all things Philadelphia
January 29, 2026 at 1:02 AM
Oh no this is awful news. An unbelievably eclectic, funny and curious writer and knower of all things Philadelphia
“This is completely unprecedented in terms of the history of federal disaster aid. They’re gonna have a hard time making this stand up in court.” www.politico.com/news/2026/01...
Trump moves to take over Los Angeles wildfire recovery from local and state authorities
In an unprecedented decision, the president issued an executive order to strip permitting authority for rebuilding from local officials and hand it to the federal government.
www.politico.com
January 27, 2026 at 10:36 PM
“This is completely unprecedented in terms of the history of federal disaster aid. They’re gonna have a hard time making this stand up in court.” www.politico.com/news/2026/01...
Quick early take on President Trump attempting to take over Los Angeles wildfire permitting www.politico.com/news/2026/01...
Trump moves to take over Los Angeles wildfire recovery from local and state authorities
In an unprecedented decision, the president issued an executive order to strip permitting authority for rebuilding from local officials and hand it to the federal government.
www.politico.com
January 27, 2026 at 6:40 PM
Quick early take on President Trump attempting to take over Los Angeles wildfire permitting www.politico.com/news/2026/01...
California's byzantine, bureaucratic financing system alone adds millions of dollars to the cost of building low-income housing in the state. After six years of half-measures and failed promises, Gov. @gavinnewsom.bsky.social is making his last, best shot at changes www.politico.com/news/2026/01...
Building affordable housing in California is pricey and slow. Newsom wants to fix it by consolidating power
The governor has promised to streamline the state's complex and costly system for funding low-income housing. His final year in office might be the best opportunity.
www.politico.com
January 21, 2026 at 5:31 PM
California's byzantine, bureaucratic financing system alone adds millions of dollars to the cost of building low-income housing in the state. After six years of half-measures and failed promises, Gov. @gavinnewsom.bsky.social is making his last, best shot at changes www.politico.com/news/2026/01...
Spoke with my @politico.com buds about whether Gov. @gavinnewsom.bsky.social is really turning the tide on homelessness. www.politico.com/news/2026/01...
Is Gavin Newsom really turning the corner on homelessness?
POLITICO reporters dig into the latest California’s homelessness estimates that Gavin Newsom is pointing to as evidence of progress on a longstanding problem.
www.politico.com
January 14, 2026 at 5:08 PM
Spoke with my @politico.com buds about whether Gov. @gavinnewsom.bsky.social is really turning the tide on homelessness. www.politico.com/news/2026/01...
Every formerly vacant storefront and parcel in Santa Monica is now Pickleball
January 14, 2026 at 3:45 AM
Every formerly vacant storefront and parcel in Santa Monica is now Pickleball
One potential liability for Spencer Pratt's nascent mayoral bid in deep-blue Los Angeles? His Republican registration www.politico.com/news/2026/01...
Spencer Pratt’s GOP registration poses early test in LA mayor’s race
The former reality TV personality said, “It’s a nonpartisan race.”
www.politico.com
January 8, 2026 at 10:30 PM
One potential liability for Spencer Pratt's nascent mayoral bid in deep-blue Los Angeles? His Republican registration www.politico.com/news/2026/01...
"They’re smart enough to know that they would get pummeled if they showed up.”
On why Gov. Gavin Newsom and L.A. Mayor Karen Bass stayed away from public events on the anniversary of last year's wildfires. With @melmason.bsky.social www.politico.com/news/2026/01...
On why Gov. Gavin Newsom and L.A. Mayor Karen Bass stayed away from public events on the anniversary of last year's wildfires. With @melmason.bsky.social www.politico.com/news/2026/01...
On anniversary of L.A. wildfires Newsom, Bass and Newsom lay low
Fire survivors in Los Angeles held multiple events to commemorate the one-year anniversary of the blazes. The governor and mayor did not appear in public.
www.politico.com
January 8, 2026 at 2:38 AM
"They’re smart enough to know that they would get pummeled if they showed up.”
On why Gov. Gavin Newsom and L.A. Mayor Karen Bass stayed away from public events on the anniversary of last year's wildfires. With @melmason.bsky.social www.politico.com/news/2026/01...
On why Gov. Gavin Newsom and L.A. Mayor Karen Bass stayed away from public events on the anniversary of last year's wildfires. With @melmason.bsky.social www.politico.com/news/2026/01...
Former reality television personality Spencer Pratt announced from the stage of a protest on the one-year anniversary of the LA wildfires that he’s running for mayor of Los Angeles. He didn’t take questions but I asked him if he actually submitted paperwork and he showed me
January 7, 2026 at 8:41 PM
Former reality television personality Spencer Pratt announced from the stage of a protest on the one-year anniversary of the LA wildfires that he’s running for mayor of Los Angeles. He didn’t take questions but I asked him if he actually submitted paperwork and he showed me
A phoenix on top of the American Legion post where survivors of the Palisades fire are holding a one-year memorial ceremony
January 7, 2026 at 6:14 PM
A phoenix on top of the American Legion post where survivors of the Palisades fire are holding a one-year memorial ceremony
On a solemn day in Los Angeles, wildfire survivors are pushing for accountability for key failures that worsened the disasters that killed 31 people and destroyed 13,000 homes one year ago www.politico.com/news/2026/01...
One year after the LA fires, survivors’ big question: Where’s the accountability?
Government failures worsened the disasters that killed 31 people and destroyed 13,000 homes in Los Angeles last year. Muddled investigations have compounded frustrations.
www.politico.com
January 7, 2026 at 4:04 PM
On a solemn day in Los Angeles, wildfire survivors are pushing for accountability for key failures that worsened the disasters that killed 31 people and destroyed 13,000 homes one year ago www.politico.com/news/2026/01...