Newsletter: Essential Politics: Watching Jerry Brown’s big week

I’m Christina Bellantoni, today’s Essential Politics host.

It’s a new week, the Supreme Court is back in business, House leadership elections might be delayed, and Gov. Jerry Brown has days to act on major legislation.

Reporter Patrick McGreevy has been on Jerry Brown watch, as California’s Democratic governor took action on a number of major issues but left his largest decisions for the last minute. McGreevy teed up the major issues — among hundreds of bills — left on Brown’s desk in this handy explainer.

Over the weekend, Brown vetoed a series of bills that would have banned drones and signed into law measures aimed at curbing racial profiling and excessive force by police. He also gave the state’s toxic enforcer more power.

McGreevy reported Friday that the governor’s staff has been meeting with terminally ill supporters of assisted suicide legislation, which could be an indication Brown, a former Jesuit seminary student, is open to hearing their pleas. As we reported earlier this year, Brown himself spoke with a dying Oregon woman days before she ended her own life using drugs, a legal measure in that state.

Keep an eye on our team all week for live updates from Sacramento.

THE MONEY RACE

As we get more details about how much money the campaigns pulled in, it’s worth taking a look at the billionaires bankrolling this election via super PACs.

Our data team pulled together a big donor cheat sheet getting you from Steven Spielberg and George Soros to Larry Ellison and Jeffrey Yass. You can learn more about the super PAC moguls — and who they support — as we continue to track the overall fundraising race.

(Speaking of major money influencers in politics, don’t miss Evan Halper’s profile of billionaire Tom Steyer’s cattle ranch.)

TODAY’S ESSENTIALS

-- Michael Finnegan details the life of Allan Hoffenblum, and his influence on California politics.

-- In her latest column, Robin Abcarian addresses House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy’s "radical honesty."

-- Well, using Donald Trump is one way to market your dating site.

-- With Sen. Marco Rubio gaining steam, that attracts new attacks, Seema Mehta writes.

-- Incoming Education Secretary John King recently met with former gang members in Los Angeles. Joy Resmovits has the story.

-- Keep an eye on David Savage as the Supreme Court starts its new term Monday — a session that will put liberals on the defense.

-- Hillary Rodham Clinton goes all-in on gun control proposals.

-- Did you catch Clinton on "Saturday Night Live"? Here’s some analysis of the appearance from my segment on "Reliable Sources" on Sunday.

-- Join us at Politicon. We’re a sponsor, and I’m moderating two panels. Use the code LATIMES for a free ticket.

LOGISTICS

As a reminder, Monday through Thursday, we’ll send a morning email from Los Angeles. Fridays, you’ll get an afternoon note with the week’s best stories that provide fresh insight on the presidential campaign and other great long reads to take you into the weekend from Washington bureau chief David Lauter. Read Friday’s edition here and learn more about the newsletter here.

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