BRACING FOR IMPASSE: Gov. Gavin Newsom isn’t going to be the first one to blink in the ongoing legislative standoff over a special session he has called to stabilize gasoline prices. Newsom said during a press conference today that he met with Senate President Pro Tem Mike McGuire for “over an hour last night” and he is “making progress” on the special session. But McGuire still has not committed to bringing his members back to Sacramento to take up the governor’s proposal on gas price spikes. “We put out a joint statement,” Newsom said. “I think it speaks for itself. Progress. We're moving forward. We're going to get this done.” The statement, which McGuire released this morning, says he and Newsom had a “productive meeting” on Tuesday in which they discussed a "path forward to protect Californians from gas price spikes." Meanwhile, Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas is pushing ahead with his side of the special session, putting together committees and assigning bill authors. But it would all be for naught if McGuire doesn’t relent and take up the issue. McGuire has said since last week that he wanted to move on the gas-price bills during the regular session that ended Saturday and that he wasn’t willing to reconvene this fall — even though the governor has suggested he may be legally compelled. However, it seems like Attorney General Rob Bonta wants to stay as far away from the impasse as possible. When asked during the press conference for his opinion on the Legislature’s legal responsibility to gavel in a special session, he deferred to Newsom, saying only, “I represent the governor on this matter.” Newsom suggested he wants the special session right now because he is anticipating a potential gas price jump. “We know this is the time of year that we have planned and unplanned refinery maintenance,” the governor said. “Which spikes the cost of gasoline and spikes the profits of those that are doing the maintenance.” Newsom sees the issue as such a political imperative that it takes precedence over the concerns of vulnerable Democrats who may not want to deal with such a polarizing topic in the months before an election. As Democrats have attacked the oil industry, companies have pushed back with ads blaming their policies for high gas prices. The most recent commercial from Western States Petroleum Association suggests the governor’s plan would actually hurt drivers and tells Californians to urge their lawmakers to oppose it. Republicans have also bludgeoned Democrats over gas prices for years. After the Legislature approved a gas tax increase in 2017, the GOP used the hike to recall Orange County state Sen. Josh Newman in 2018. But Newsom seemed unconcerned about such potential consequences. “I guess that we should just roll over and allow oil companies to take advantage of taxpayers,” the governor said in response to a question about Democrats in tough races. “I would imagine that should worry us a little bit more.” NEWSOM ON GUNS: The governor today gave an impassioned response about gun violence when asked about a shooting at a high school outside of Atlanta that killed four people and injured at least nine. Newsom spoke about the incident as a father of four children, “one just going into high school.” “You're going to see it over and over and over and over again,” the governor said. “Just, God bless, it doesn't happen to you or your community or your loved one because of the culture that we've created in this country and the gun laws in this country.” Newsom said Republicans don’t have the “serious leadership” it takes to address the issue, pointing to the lack of action after former President Donald Trump was struck by a bullet at a July campaign rally. “You had a nominee for president of the United States that almost lost his life … to an assassination,” the governor said. “And no substantive conversations around gun safety, no real conversations around background checks, no conversations about assault weapons ban, large capacity magazine clips.” IT’S WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON. This is California Playbook PM, a POLITICO newsletter that serves as an afternoon temperature check on California politics and a look at what our policy reporters are watching. Got tips or suggestions? Shoot an email to lholden@politico.com.
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