Rick Bates
@ricksb.bsky.social
Policy and politics; labor, housing, transit, climate, sustainability.
Reposted by Rick Bates
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.
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.
nyti.ms
November 5, 2025 at 4:35 AM
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.
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...
Read more at: www.sacbee.com/news/politic... www.sacbee.com/news/politic...
Coalition of California lawmakers proposes fixes to sweeping CEQA rollback
Lawmakers and environmental advocates have been calling for ‘clean-up’ to the legislation since before it passed.
www.sacbee.com
September 13, 2025 at 7:10 AM
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...
Read more at: www.sacbee.com/news/politic... www.sacbee.com/news/politic...
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.
Santa Ana officials are re-uping their immigration defense legal fund months into widespread deportation sweeps. Will Costa Mesa launch their own…
https://voiceofoc.org/2025/08/santa-ana-renews-legal-defense-fund-for-immigrants-will-costa-mesa-follow/?utm_source=bluesky&utm_medium=jetpack_social
https://voiceofoc.org/2025/08/santa-ana-renews-legal-defense-fund-for-immigrants-will-costa-mesa-follow/?utm_source=bluesky&utm_medium=jetpack_social
August 27, 2025 at 2:55 PM
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.
Reposted by Rick Bates
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.
August 21, 2025 at 11:12 PM
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.
Reposted by Rick Bates
New York - (and every other deep blue state with Democratic governors)- you need to be up next.
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.
www.nytimes.com
August 22, 2025 at 12:28 AM
New York - (and every other deep blue state with Democratic governors)- you need to be up next.
And just like that, it’s up to Californians to save the bones of our nation’s democracy.
www.sacbee.com/news/politic...
www.sacbee.com/news/politic...
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.
www.sacbee.com
August 22, 2025 at 2:27 AM
And just like that, it’s up to Californians to save the bones of our nation’s democracy.
www.sacbee.com/news/politic...
www.sacbee.com/news/politic...
Reposted by Rick Bates
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...
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
www.peliplat.com
July 12, 2025 at 12:42 AM
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...
Reposted by Rick Bates
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.
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.
trib.al
July 8, 2025 at 11:30 PM
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.
Reposted by Rick Bates
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...
Hell, I’ll write about it for ya! Email me! www.inquirer.com/politics/phi...
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.
www.inquirer.com
July 7, 2025 at 9:37 AM
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...
Hell, I’ll write about it for ya! Email me! www.inquirer.com/politics/phi...
Reposted by Rick Bates
More housing means more opportunity. More opportunity means a better future. We’re for a better future. We’re for more housing.
June 17, 2025 at 4:44 AM
More housing means more opportunity. More opportunity means a better future. We’re for a better future. We’re for more housing.
Reposted by Rick Bates
A “shift” 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?
Who’s actually in charge?
June 17, 2025 at 4:53 AM
A “shift” 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?
Who’s actually in charge?
Reposted by Rick Bates
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
📝 Pedro Rios
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
📝 Pedro Rios
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.
calmatters.org
June 13, 2025 at 4:54 PM
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
📝 Pedro Rios
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
📝 Pedro Rios
Rasquache Style: How Mexicans Make Art Out of Anything open.substack.com/pub/thejumpi...
Rasquache Style: How Mexicans Make Art Out of Anything
From "Sunshine/Noir III: Writing from San Diego and Tijuana" (City Works Press, 2025)
open.substack.com
June 13, 2025 at 4:57 PM
Rasquache Style: How Mexicans Make Art Out of Anything open.substack.com/pub/thejumpi...
Federal judge halts Trump’s National Guard deployment in Los Angeles - “The president is of course limited to his authority,” Breyer said. “That’s the difference between a constitutional government and King George.” calmatters.org/justice/2025...
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...
calmatters.org
June 13, 2025 at 1:12 AM
Federal judge halts Trump’s National Guard deployment in Los Angeles - “The president is of course limited to his authority,” Breyer said. “That’s the difference between a constitutional government and King George.” calmatters.org/justice/2025...
“Senate 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...
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.
www.nbcnews.com
June 12, 2025 at 7:13 PM
“Senate 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...
Reposted by Rick Bates
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.
June 12, 2025 at 2:08 PM
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.
Reposted by Rick Bates
What a way to encourage foreign tourists to visit the World Cup next year
www.nbcmiami.com/news/local/q...
www.nbcmiami.com/news/local/q...
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...
www.nbcmiami.com
June 11, 2025 at 7:24 PM
What a way to encourage foreign tourists to visit the World Cup next year
www.nbcmiami.com/news/local/q...
www.nbcmiami.com/news/local/q...
"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...
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.
calmatters.org
June 9, 2025 at 7:11 PM
"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...
Reposted by Rick Bates
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
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.
cnn.it
June 1, 2025 at 5:42 PM
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
Reposted by Rick Bates
Against all odds, Joni Ernst has made it worse
May 31, 2025 at 8:53 PM
Against all odds, Joni Ernst has made it worse
Just my annual reminder to all @cademocrats.bsky.social delegates to remember to tip your hotel housekeepers daily. #1Job #Democrats #CAStrong #UnionStrong #1u
May 31, 2025 at 9:56 PM