Gov. Newsom, Assembly Speaker silent after trans athlete

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — While the Democratic-led state Assembly has signaled proposals on trans athletes in female sports won’t move forward at the State Capitol anytime soon, Republicans said they plan to keep the conversation going. Assembly Republican Minority Leader James Gallagher noted California leaders threatened to withhold funding from local school districts that did not follow a state law meant to protect trans students in schools from being “outed” to their parents. That law prohibits schools from having policies that require parents to be notified if their child is identifying as transgender at school.

Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas, who ultimately put Tuesday’s hearing on the calendar, temporarily replaced a lawmaker on the committee so that he could speak and vote against the bills. “All we’re saying is that means you have to protect the integrity of girls and women’s sports in California,” Gallagher said. “It’s not that complicated.”

Following his comments in the hearing, Rivas refused to speak with reporters who followed him to his office after the vote. The Speaker has not spoken to the Capitol press corps broadly since Jan. 9.

Lawmakers in the Democratic-dominated Assembly’s Arts, Entertainment, Sports and Tourism Committee rejected the legislation on a party-line vote of 2-7. The only votes for approval came from Republicans.
After California lawmakers blocked two bills that would have no longer allowed trans-athletes in girls’ and women’s sports, neither Gov. Gavin Newsom nor Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas would comment on the action and its potential consequences after the vote.”Ashley, I’m on the phone,” Rivas said, when KCRA 3 tried to ask him if he’s concerned at all that the Trump administration may withhold federal funding with Tuesday’s decision. “If that’s what it takes to bring California into compliance. The federal government has a lot of influence over the states, and that’s with money,” Essayli said. The governor last week received a letter from U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon warning the state could lose federal funding if California continues to allow trans athletes to compete in female sports. The letter also directed Newsom to support the legislation state lawmakers ended up rejecting on Tuesday.
After California lawmakers blocked two bills that would have no longer allowed trans-athletes in girls’ and women’s sports, neither Gov. Gavin Newsom nor Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas would comment on the action and its potential consequences after the vote.Lawmakers in the Democratic-dominated Assembly’s Arts, Entertainment, Sports and Tourism Committee rejected the legislation on a party-line vote of 2-7. The only votes for approval came from Republicans. Newsom said weeks ago on his podcast, and has reiterated since, that the issue of trans athletes competing in girls’ sports is “deeply unfair.” A spokesperson for his office on Tuesday afternoon claimed the governor does not comment on pending legislation. When KCRA 3 noted the bills are no longer “pending,” they’re officially dead, the office still would not comment. (VIDEO BELOW: See Ashley Zavala try to get a comment from Speaker Rivas)The governor last week received a letter from U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon warning the state could lose federal funding if California continues to allow trans athletes to compete in female sports. The letter also directed Newsom to support the legislation state lawmakers ended up rejecting on Tuesday. Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas, who ultimately put Tuesday’s hearing on the calendar, temporarily replaced a lawmaker on the committee so that he could speak and vote against the bills. “Republicans keep emphasizing how this bill protects women and girls, and women do face threats today. But not from the very small number of transgender kids playing sports,” Rivas said. “The real threat is the Trump administration taking away access and dismantling programs that help women,” Rivas said. “I’m not going to support a bill that takes rights away from a protected class.” Following his comments in the hearing, Rivas refused to speak with reporters who followed him to his office after the vote. The Speaker has not spoken to the Capitol press corps broadly since Jan. 9. “Ashley, I’m on the phone,” Rivas said, when KCRA 3 tried to ask him if he’s concerned at all that the Trump administration may withhold federal funding with Tuesday’s decision. Rivas would not answer repeated questions about the governor’s remarks as he walked into his office. “I’m not worried, I’m encouraged,” said Assemblyman Bill Essayli, R-Corona, who wrote one of the bills no longer allowing trans athletes in girls and women’s sports or athletic-related facilities. “If that’s what it takes to bring California into compliance. The federal government has a lot of influence over the states, and that’s with money,” Essayli said. Assembly Republican Minority Leader James Gallagher noted California leaders threatened to withhold funding from local school districts that did not follow a state law meant to protect trans students in schools from being “outed” to their parents. That law prohibits schools from having policies that require parents to be notified if their child is identifying as transgender at school. The Trump administration is also investigating that state policy. “All we’re saying is that means you have to protect the integrity of girls and women’s sports in California,” Gallagher said. “It’s not that complicated.” While the Democratic-led state Assembly has signaled proposals on trans athletes in female sports won’t move forward at the State Capitol anytime soon, Republicans said they plan to keep the conversation going. Some suggested a possibility in the near future could include a ballot initiative on the issue in a future election. “I think what we’ve seen in the polling is this is where Californians are,” Gallagher said. See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel
Rivas would not answer repeated questions about the governor’s remarks as he walked into his office. The Trump administration is also investigating that state policy. Some suggested a possibility in the near future could include a ballot initiative on the issue in a future election. (VIDEO BELOW: See Ashley Zavala try to get a comment from Speaker Rivas)Newsom said weeks ago on his podcast, and has reiterated since, that the issue of trans athletes competing in girls’ sports is “deeply unfair.” A spokesperson for his office on Tuesday afternoon claimed the governor does not comment on pending legislation. When KCRA 3 noted the bills are no longer “pending,” they’re officially dead, the office still would not comment. “I think what we’ve seen in the polling is this is where Californians are,” Gallagher said.
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“I’m not worried, I’m encouraged,” said Assemblyman Bill Essayli, R-Corona, who wrote one of the bills no longer allowing trans athletes in girls and women’s sports or athletic-related facilities. “Republicans keep emphasizing how this bill protects women and girls, and women do face threats today. But not from the very small number of transgender kids playing sports,” Rivas said.