Dustin Gardiner
@dustingardiner.bsky.social
California politics reporter, Playbook co-author @POLITICO.com. Priors: @sfchronicle.com, @azcentral.com. Board: SF Press Club. Fan of trails & mountains. 🏔🏳️🌈 DMs open.
Reposted by Dustin Gardiner
Via @politico.com: "Congressional Republicans are pushing the Trump administration to renew grants for a program the White House has targeted for dramatic cuts that helps provide permanent housing to people experiencing homelessness."
House Republicans urge caution as HUD proceeds with homeless housing program cuts
The lawmakers warn the Trump administration that substantive changes to the program “should be implemented carefully.”
www.politico.com
October 28, 2025 at 7:47 PM
Via @politico.com: "Congressional Republicans are pushing the Trump administration to renew grants for a program the White House has targeted for dramatic cuts that helps provide permanent housing to people experiencing homelessness."
AG @robbonta.bsky.social also refused to answer my questions about his conflict of interest policy for campaign contributions
What is his policy for accepting money from parties involved in matters directly before his office? He's never clearly spelled it out
What is his policy for accepting money from parties involved in matters directly before his office? He's never clearly spelled it out
As California AG @robbonta.bsky.social reviewed his opinion that declared fantasy sports illegal, he raked in more than $100K in contributions from tribal casinos
The tribes have lobbied, for years, to push fantasy sports platforms out of the gaming market here
www.politico.com/newsletters/...
The tribes have lobbied, for years, to push fantasy sports platforms out of the gaming market here
www.politico.com/newsletters/...
Bonta’s casino money and Porter’s ‘unhappy experience’
Before state Attorney General Rob Bonta declared that fantasy sports betting websites are illegal in California, he raked in campaign contributions from the industry’s biggest nemesis.
www.politico.com
October 8, 2025 at 5:53 PM
AG @robbonta.bsky.social also refused to answer my questions about his conflict of interest policy for campaign contributions
What is his policy for accepting money from parties involved in matters directly before his office? He's never clearly spelled it out
What is his policy for accepting money from parties involved in matters directly before his office? He's never clearly spelled it out
As California AG @robbonta.bsky.social reviewed his opinion that declared fantasy sports illegal, he raked in more than $100K in contributions from tribal casinos
The tribes have lobbied, for years, to push fantasy sports platforms out of the gaming market here
www.politico.com/newsletters/...
The tribes have lobbied, for years, to push fantasy sports platforms out of the gaming market here
www.politico.com/newsletters/...
Bonta’s casino money and Porter’s ‘unhappy experience’
Before state Attorney General Rob Bonta declared that fantasy sports betting websites are illegal in California, he raked in campaign contributions from the industry’s biggest nemesis.
www.politico.com
October 8, 2025 at 5:52 PM
As California AG @robbonta.bsky.social reviewed his opinion that declared fantasy sports illegal, he raked in more than $100K in contributions from tribal casinos
The tribes have lobbied, for years, to push fantasy sports platforms out of the gaming market here
www.politico.com/newsletters/...
The tribes have lobbied, for years, to push fantasy sports platforms out of the gaming market here
www.politico.com/newsletters/...
Reposted by Dustin Gardiner
JUST ADDED! #Prop50 Explained: What's at Stake for California . . . and Congress
With Cynthia Dai, Trena Turner, Eric McGhee & moderator @dustingardiner.bsky.social
Thu, Oct 16 / 11:00 AM PDT in downtown San Francisco & online
Details & tickets: www.commonwealthclub.org/events/2025-...
With Cynthia Dai, Trena Turner, Eric McGhee & moderator @dustingardiner.bsky.social
Thu, Oct 16 / 11:00 AM PDT in downtown San Francisco & online
Details & tickets: www.commonwealthclub.org/events/2025-...
October 8, 2025 at 3:58 PM
JUST ADDED! #Prop50 Explained: What's at Stake for California . . . and Congress
With Cynthia Dai, Trena Turner, Eric McGhee & moderator @dustingardiner.bsky.social
Thu, Oct 16 / 11:00 AM PDT in downtown San Francisco & online
Details & tickets: www.commonwealthclub.org/events/2025-...
With Cynthia Dai, Trena Turner, Eric McGhee & moderator @dustingardiner.bsky.social
Thu, Oct 16 / 11:00 AM PDT in downtown San Francisco & online
Details & tickets: www.commonwealthclub.org/events/2025-...
Reposted by Dustin Gardiner
⌛️🚨 There's only 2 weeks left to submit entries for the San Francisco Press Club awards!
Don't miss the chance to share work that makes you proud. Contest open to journalists in print + radio + TV, college media and PR pros. More: sfpressclub.org/2025/09/22/2...
Don't miss the chance to share work that makes you proud. Contest open to journalists in print + radio + TV, college media and PR pros. More: sfpressclub.org/2025/09/22/2...
2025 Journalism Awards Contest Portal is Now Open - San Francisco Press Club
The contest portal for the San Francisco Press Club’s 2025 Greater Bay Area Journalism Awards is now open: www.BetterNewspaperContest.com. Please […]
sfpressclub.org
October 2, 2025 at 5:40 PM
⌛️🚨 There's only 2 weeks left to submit entries for the San Francisco Press Club awards!
Don't miss the chance to share work that makes you proud. Contest open to journalists in print + radio + TV, college media and PR pros. More: sfpressclub.org/2025/09/22/2...
Don't miss the chance to share work that makes you proud. Contest open to journalists in print + radio + TV, college media and PR pros. More: sfpressclub.org/2025/09/22/2...
⌛️🚨 There's only 2 weeks left to submit entries for the San Francisco Press Club awards!
Don't miss the chance to share work that makes you proud. Contest open to journalists in print + radio + TV, college media and PR pros. More: sfpressclub.org/2025/09/22/2...
Don't miss the chance to share work that makes you proud. Contest open to journalists in print + radio + TV, college media and PR pros. More: sfpressclub.org/2025/09/22/2...
2025 Journalism Awards Contest Portal is Now Open - San Francisco Press Club
The contest portal for the San Francisco Press Club’s 2025 Greater Bay Area Journalism Awards is now open: www.BetterNewspaperContest.com. Please […]
sfpressclub.org
October 2, 2025 at 5:40 PM
⌛️🚨 There's only 2 weeks left to submit entries for the San Francisco Press Club awards!
Don't miss the chance to share work that makes you proud. Contest open to journalists in print + radio + TV, college media and PR pros. More: sfpressclub.org/2025/09/22/2...
Don't miss the chance to share work that makes you proud. Contest open to journalists in print + radio + TV, college media and PR pros. More: sfpressclub.org/2025/09/22/2...
Reposted by Dustin Gardiner
Check out our weekly roundup of news about democracy at the state level, with links from @theguardian.com, @deseret.com.web.brid.gy, @zachmontellaro.bsky.social, @representwomen.bsky.social, @dustingardiner.bsky.social, @brennancenter.org, and more!
Democracy in the States: Weekly Roundup
Updates on campaigns, policy changes, obstacles and successes for democracy renovation at the state level.
therenovator.substack.com
August 31, 2025 at 6:56 PM
Check out our weekly roundup of news about democracy at the state level, with links from @theguardian.com, @deseret.com.web.brid.gy, @zachmontellaro.bsky.social, @representwomen.bsky.social, @dustingardiner.bsky.social, @brennancenter.org, and more!
Reposted by Dustin Gardiner
California Dems would take Newsom over Harris in a 2028 presidential primary, according to a new poll.
Poll: California Democrats like Gavin Newsom over Kamala Harris in 2028
The governor is the top presidential contender among Democratic-leaning voters in the state, according to the latest POLITICO-Citrin Center-Possibility Lab survey.
www.politico.com
August 20, 2025 at 1:46 PM
California Dems would take Newsom over Harris in a 2028 presidential primary, according to a new poll.
Reposted by Dustin Gardiner
Trump's federal takeover of D.C.'s police is a blow to democracy.
This dangerous overreach of power should alarm every American, regardless of where you live.
California is not sitting idly by, challenging Trump in court today to put an end to his unprecedented and unlawful use of force.
#CALeg
This dangerous overreach of power should alarm every American, regardless of where you live.
California is not sitting idly by, challenging Trump in court today to put an end to his unprecedented and unlawful use of force.
#CALeg
August 11, 2025 at 8:53 PM
Trump's federal takeover of D.C.'s police is a blow to democracy.
This dangerous overreach of power should alarm every American, regardless of where you live.
California is not sitting idly by, challenging Trump in court today to put an end to his unprecedented and unlawful use of force.
#CALeg
This dangerous overreach of power should alarm every American, regardless of where you live.
California is not sitting idly by, challenging Trump in court today to put an end to his unprecedented and unlawful use of force.
#CALeg
Reposted by Dustin Gardiner
Democrats are making a Trump-inspired U-turn on redistricting.
Democrats make a Trump-inspired U-turn on redistricting
Former Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who pushed for national reforms, now says her party "cannot and will not unilaterally disarm."
www.politico.com
August 8, 2025 at 1:05 PM
Democrats are making a Trump-inspired U-turn on redistricting.
Reposted by Dustin Gardiner
The Trump admin is demanding $1B from UCLA.
The settlement would resolve alleged civil rights violations, restore hundreds of millions of dollars of frozen federal research grants, and force the school to adopt major changes to how it operates.
The settlement would resolve alleged civil rights violations, restore hundreds of millions of dollars of frozen federal research grants, and force the school to adopt major changes to how it operates.
Trump administration demands $1B from University of California-Los Angeles
The White House's negotiating demand is a major effort to expand the scope of its offensive against higher education institutions.
www.politico.com
August 8, 2025 at 7:29 PM
The Trump admin is demanding $1B from UCLA.
The settlement would resolve alleged civil rights violations, restore hundreds of millions of dollars of frozen federal research grants, and force the school to adopt major changes to how it operates.
The settlement would resolve alleged civil rights violations, restore hundreds of millions of dollars of frozen federal research grants, and force the school to adopt major changes to how it operates.
Reposted by Dustin Gardiner
San Francisco progressives eye Zohran Mamdani’s rise in New York with envy.
San Francisco progressives eye Mamdani’s rise with envy
Despite the city’s history, voters in San Francisco have pivoted to the political center in recent years.
www.politico.com
July 3, 2025 at 1:30 PM
San Francisco progressives eye Zohran Mamdani’s rise in New York with envy.
Reposted by Dustin Gardiner
Fascinating to see the stark rural/urban and north/south divide on #SB79, the biggest housing bill of the year.
Let’s dive into the details, and see how your State Senator voted. 👇
Let’s dive into the details, and see how your State Senator voted. 👇
June 4, 2025 at 1:21 PM
Fascinating to see the stark rural/urban and north/south divide on #SB79, the biggest housing bill of the year.
Let’s dive into the details, and see how your State Senator voted. 👇
Let’s dive into the details, and see how your State Senator voted. 👇
ICYMI: Facebook co-founder Chris Hughes says he's puzzled by Mark Zuckerberg’s shift toward Trump and the right
"It’s more just mystifying," Hughes said of Zuckerberg, his college roommate who was "left of center" during their Harvard years
www.politico.com/newsletters/...
"It’s more just mystifying," Hughes said of Zuckerberg, his college roommate who was "left of center" during their Harvard years
www.politico.com/newsletters/...
Facebook co-founder mystified by Zuckerberg’s new politics
Chris Hughes said Mark Zuckerberg was “left of center” when the two and a core group of friends launched the campus networking site that became Silicon Valley’s most successful social startup. Zuckerb...
www.politico.com
May 19, 2025 at 9:57 PM
ICYMI: Facebook co-founder Chris Hughes says he's puzzled by Mark Zuckerberg’s shift toward Trump and the right
"It’s more just mystifying," Hughes said of Zuckerberg, his college roommate who was "left of center" during their Harvard years
www.politico.com/newsletters/...
"It’s more just mystifying," Hughes said of Zuckerberg, his college roommate who was "left of center" during their Harvard years
www.politico.com/newsletters/...
Who's going to the @milkeninstitute.org Global Conference in LA next week?!
I'll be there covering it ALL for California Playbook (your go-to Milken news source), along w/ @melmason.bsky.social @tylerkatzenberger.bsky.social
Sign up & follow our coverage: politico.com/milkenglobal... #MIGlobal
I'll be there covering it ALL for California Playbook (your go-to Milken news source), along w/ @melmason.bsky.social @tylerkatzenberger.bsky.social
Sign up & follow our coverage: politico.com/milkenglobal... #MIGlobal
Subscribe to California Playbook from the Milken Institute Global Conference
Join POLITICO as we bring you exclusive, on-the-ground reporting through our California Playbook newsletter at the 28th Annual Milken Institute Global Conference in Los Angeles from May 4-7. Stay ahead of the curve with your essential guide to the biggest moments, behind-the-scenes buzz, and insights from global leaders in AI, finance, health, philanthropy, geopolitics, and more. Subscribe now and secure a front-row seat to the conversations shaping our world.
politico.com
May 2, 2025 at 6:59 PM
Who's going to the @milkeninstitute.org Global Conference in LA next week?!
I'll be there covering it ALL for California Playbook (your go-to Milken news source), along w/ @melmason.bsky.social @tylerkatzenberger.bsky.social
Sign up & follow our coverage: politico.com/milkenglobal... #MIGlobal
I'll be there covering it ALL for California Playbook (your go-to Milken news source), along w/ @melmason.bsky.social @tylerkatzenberger.bsky.social
Sign up & follow our coverage: politico.com/milkenglobal... #MIGlobal
Reposted by Dustin Gardiner
Exclusive: UK and EU to defy Trump with ‘free and open trade’ declaration.
UK and EU to defy Trump with ‘free and open trade’ declaration
The draft U.K.-EU agreement is one of several being drawn up ahead of a May 19 summit.
www.politico.eu
April 28, 2025 at 2:56 PM
Exclusive: UK and EU to defy Trump with ‘free and open trade’ declaration.
First in @politico.com: San Francisco Democrats force the age question. Resolution calls for imposing a mandatory retirement age for elected officials
www.politico.com/newsletters/...
www.politico.com/newsletters/...
Scoop: SF Dems force the age question
Democratic Party leaders in San Francisco today unveiled a striking package of resolutions designed to help their party find its way out of the political wilderness and regain voters’ trust.
www.politico.com
April 21, 2025 at 7:56 PM
First in @politico.com: San Francisco Democrats force the age question. Resolution calls for imposing a mandatory retirement age for elected officials
www.politico.com/newsletters/...
www.politico.com/newsletters/...
Reposted by Dustin Gardiner
Via @dustingardiner.bsky.social: "California voters have grown so frustrated with the blue state’s failure to reduce homelessness that well over a third of the electorate now supports local laws that allow police to arrest people camping outside if they refuse shelter."
California’s frustration with homelessness is boiling over, poll finds
A survey from POLITICO and the UC Berkeley Citrin Center asked registered voters if they supported an aggressive approach to clearing encampments.
www.politico.com
April 18, 2025 at 10:03 PM
Via @dustingardiner.bsky.social: "California voters have grown so frustrated with the blue state’s failure to reduce homelessness that well over a third of the electorate now supports local laws that allow police to arrest people camping outside if they refuse shelter."
Reposted by Dustin Gardiner
Upcoming SF event: Come out to Manny's on April 29th for an in-depth conversation about Trump's first 100 days & consequences for the Bay Area
Featuring panelists: Honey Mahogany, Nancy Tung and Jane Kim; moderated by me. Tickets on sale now here: www.eventbrite.com/e/the-first-...
Featuring panelists: Honey Mahogany, Nancy Tung and Jane Kim; moderated by me. Tickets on sale now here: www.eventbrite.com/e/the-first-...
The First 100 Days of Trump’s Second Term: What Just Happened?
A deep dive into Trump’s first 100 days back in office, analyzing major policies, executive actions, and their impact on the country.
www.eventbrite.com
April 9, 2025 at 9:06 PM
Upcoming SF event: Come out to Manny's on April 29th for an in-depth conversation about Trump's first 100 days & consequences for the Bay Area
Featuring panelists: Honey Mahogany, Nancy Tung and Jane Kim; moderated by me. Tickets on sale now here: www.eventbrite.com/e/the-first-...
Featuring panelists: Honey Mahogany, Nancy Tung and Jane Kim; moderated by me. Tickets on sale now here: www.eventbrite.com/e/the-first-...
Upcoming SF event: Come out to Manny's on April 29th for an in-depth conversation about Trump's first 100 days & consequences for the Bay Area
Featuring panelists: Honey Mahogany, Nancy Tung and Jane Kim; moderated by me. Tickets on sale now here: www.eventbrite.com/e/the-first-...
Featuring panelists: Honey Mahogany, Nancy Tung and Jane Kim; moderated by me. Tickets on sale now here: www.eventbrite.com/e/the-first-...
The First 100 Days of Trump’s Second Term: What Just Happened?
A deep dive into Trump’s first 100 days back in office, analyzing major policies, executive actions, and their impact on the country.
www.eventbrite.com
April 9, 2025 at 9:06 PM
Upcoming SF event: Come out to Manny's on April 29th for an in-depth conversation about Trump's first 100 days & consequences for the Bay Area
Featuring panelists: Honey Mahogany, Nancy Tung and Jane Kim; moderated by me. Tickets on sale now here: www.eventbrite.com/e/the-first-...
Featuring panelists: Honey Mahogany, Nancy Tung and Jane Kim; moderated by me. Tickets on sale now here: www.eventbrite.com/e/the-first-...
Reposted by Dustin Gardiner
Shockingly, the new gender/genital policing rules at the border are causing LGBTQ people to be less than excited about visiting the U.S. & spending money here.
LGBTQ+ travellers rethink US trips amid new Trump policies
Trump’s new policies have created uncertainty for travellers as US immigration authorities may now require documentation showing ‘sex at birth’.
www.euronews.com
April 9, 2025 at 4:30 PM
Shockingly, the new gender/genital policing rules at the border are causing LGBTQ people to be less than excited about visiting the U.S. & spending money here.
Reposted by Dustin Gardiner
Participating in the deportation of lawful residents without due process is an extreme violation of the law & frankly, criminal.
Those who participate in these lawless, gestapo-like disappearances should face harsh accountability.
Saying you were “just following orders” isn’t a defense.
Those who participate in these lawless, gestapo-like disappearances should face harsh accountability.
Saying you were “just following orders” isn’t a defense.
April 2, 2025 at 5:07 PM
Participating in the deportation of lawful residents without due process is an extreme violation of the law & frankly, criminal.
Those who participate in these lawless, gestapo-like disappearances should face harsh accountability.
Saying you were “just following orders” isn’t a defense.
Those who participate in these lawless, gestapo-like disappearances should face harsh accountability.
Saying you were “just following orders” isn’t a defense.
SCOOP (ICYMI): The Trump admin plans to close HHS' Western regional office in downtown San Francisco
@pelosi.house.gov criticized the move, which likely eliminates 318 jobs: “This shortsighted office closure would lead to critical service slowdowns..."
www.politico.com/newsletters/...
@pelosi.house.gov criticized the move, which likely eliminates 318 jobs: “This shortsighted office closure would lead to critical service slowdowns..."
www.politico.com/newsletters/...
Trump's next target: HHS office in Pelosi territory
www.politico.com
April 1, 2025 at 8:50 PM
SCOOP (ICYMI): The Trump admin plans to close HHS' Western regional office in downtown San Francisco
@pelosi.house.gov criticized the move, which likely eliminates 318 jobs: “This shortsighted office closure would lead to critical service slowdowns..."
www.politico.com/newsletters/...
@pelosi.house.gov criticized the move, which likely eliminates 318 jobs: “This shortsighted office closure would lead to critical service slowdowns..."
www.politico.com/newsletters/...
ICYMI: San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan is getting under fellow Democrats’ skin
www.politico.com/newsletters/...
www.politico.com/newsletters/...
San Jose’s mayor is getting under Democrats’ skin
www.politico.com
March 31, 2025 at 5:48 PM
ICYMI: San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan is getting under fellow Democrats’ skin
www.politico.com/newsletters/...
www.politico.com/newsletters/...
Scoop: Eleni Kounalakis has told allies she's seriously considering a pivot to run for state treasurer in 2026 (if Kamala runs for California governor)
www.politico.com/newsletters/...
www.politico.com/newsletters/...
Scoop: Eleni’s backup plan
www.politico.com
March 13, 2025 at 5:30 PM
Scoop: Eleni Kounalakis has told allies she's seriously considering a pivot to run for state treasurer in 2026 (if Kamala runs for California governor)
www.politico.com/newsletters/...
www.politico.com/newsletters/...