Daily Business Report: Monday, August 18, 2025
California voters back independent congressional maps, complicating Gavin Newsom’s redistricting push
By Melanie Mason | Politico
California Gov. Gavin Newsom faces a major hurdle in his quest to revamp his state’s congressional lines, according to a new poll: Californians’ deep support for its current independent redistricting commission.
By nearly a two-to-one margin, voters prefer keeping an independent line-drawing panel to determine the state’s House seats, the latest POLITICO-Citrin Center-Possibility Lab survey found. Just 36 percent of respondents back returning congressional redistricting authority to state lawmakers.
“It’s not surprising, in the sense that California has voted twice for this independent review commission not all that long ago,” said Jack Citrin, a veteran political science professor at UC Berkeley and partner on the poll. “And there’s a lot of mistrust and cynicism about politicians and the Legislature. That’s reflected here as well.”
Escondido, Calif., a Showcase for Fire-Resilient Building
By Michele Learner | The New York Times
Nestled in a valley in the foothills of the Santa Ana Mountains about 30 miles from both San Diego and the nearest Pacific beach, Escondido, Calif., has grown from an agricultural community known for its grapes and avocados into a town that attracts people looking for a more affordable version of the Southern California lifestyle.
It’s hotter than the coastal cities and is known for its traffic, both downsides. But Gina Mancuso, a real estate agent with eXp Realty of California, said government investments in traffic abatement, such as freeway express lanes, have brought the average commute to San Diego or nearby Carlsbad, Calif., to less than 30 minutes.
However, Escondido, which translates from Spanish to “hidden,” can’t hide from the high risk of wildfire in the region. To address the problem, the homebuilder KB Home is constructing 64 homes in its new Dixon Trail development that meet high levels of fire preparedness developed by researchers at the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety. A community of single-family homes, one-third of which have already sold, Dixon Trail has houses that range from about 2,000 to 3,000 square feet and have base prices from $1.067 million to $1.342 million.
Newsom Disputes Audit That Found Remote Work Could Save California $225 Million per Year
By Jill McLaughlin | The Epoch Times
California Gov. Gavin Newsom disagrees with a state audit released Aug. 12 that found his state could save up to $225 million each year by allowing state workers to work remotely.
State workers have slowly returned to the office after teleworking during the COVID-19 pandemic. In March, Newsom directed the employees to spend at least four days per week at the office.
The governor said returning employees to the office would result in better and quicker services for residents and add to operational efficiency.
