Newsletter: Essential Politics: Democratic gun control filibuster stretches into second day

I’m Christina Bellantoni. This is Essential Politics, and Senate Democrats in Washington held the floor with a filibuster into the morning in hopes of passing gun control legislation.

After nearly 15 hours, the filibuster ended at 2:12 a.m.

Back in California, it was a big day in Sacramento as the Legislature approved a new $170.9-billion budget, sending it to Gov. Jerry Brown for his signature. The spending plan represents a compromise, with more money being socked away in the state’s rainy-day fund while government programs for low-income Californians receive additional funding.

One area where the governor and lawmakers didn’t reach an agreement was climate change. The state is leaving $1.4 billion in greenhouse gas reduction money in the bank, which has the consequence of letting high-profile state incentive programs for clean vehicles run out of money, Liam Dillon reports.

Some environmental advocates blame that impasse on the politics of trying to extend the state’s landmark climate change legislation, saying that the governor wants to use the cash as leverage. Brown’s office didn’t deny that assertion and, for the first time, formally endorsed the idea.

Other major financial decisions won’t be made until the November election, when voters will likely face questions about whether to extend higher taxes on the wealthy, raise taxes on cigarettes and approve bonds for building and renovating schools.

Keep an eye on our Essential Politics news feed for live updates from Sacramento as we track what’s next.

RAGING OVER GUNS

One by one, Senate Democrats joined Sen. Chris Murphy from Connecticut on the floor Wednesday to echo his calls for a vote on preventing people on the no-fly list from buying guns, and to decry that mass shooting after mass shooting has passed with no action from Congress.

Murphy, who made gun control a top priority after the 2012 massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School in his state, made clear when he took the floor he would not leave until the legislation was considered. He said it was important to signal that people are “sick and tired” of thoughts and prayers from politicians that are followed by inaction.

The talking filibuster continued as Democrats tried to pressure Republicans to approve legislation intended to block suspected terrorists from purchasing firearms and to require universal background checks.

Several Democrats talked about incidents in their states, from Virginia’s Tim Kaine talking about the 2007 Virginia Tech shootings being the worst day of his life to Florida’s Bill Nelson giving an emotional address about the victims in the Pulse nightclub.

Just after 11 p.m. in Washington, Murphy called his effort “organic,” saying he was humbled by the 40 or so colleagues — including two Republicans — who helped him keep the floor. “We didn’t decide to do this until this morning,” he said. “This change will not happen without vigilance.”

By 1:45 am, Murphy said it sounded like there was an agreement to hold a vote on two measures tightening gun restrictions on suspected terrorists.

Murphy ended the filibuster at 2:12 a.m. — after standing nearly 15 hours — with an emotional tribute to Dylan Hockley, slain in the arms of his favorite teacher at age 6 in Newtown.

The 2nd Amendment arguments against banning assault weapons are “nonsense” until the killing stops, George Skelton writes in his Thursday column. He quotes the late Justice Antonin Scalia’s argument about conditions on the 2nd Amendment. Skelton outlines the measures pending in California’s Legislature and writes they are reasonable ways to control weapons and make it harder for nuts to take many lives at once.

President Obama will travel Thursday to Orlando to meet with family members of the 49 people slain over the weekend. We’ll cover the visit live here.

GENERAL ELECTION SHARPENS

Hillary Clinton purchased television air time beginning Thursday in Colorado, Florida, Iowa, Nevada, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Ohio and Virginia, according to a Democrat who tracks media buys. The swing-state spots use Donald Trump’s own statements, where he appears to incite violence among his supporters and mocks a reporter who has a condition that limits arm movement, to show a contrast with Clinton’s own campaign rhetoric.

Trump used to love nothing more than boasting about his poll numbers: His recitation of them was a staple of his campaign speeches. There’s little to boast about now, David Lauter writes.

The new Washington Post/ABC News poll puts things particularly into focus, given only 29% of adults had a positive view of Trump.

Noah Bierman put together a handy Q-and-A on what it could look like if Trump’s broader immigration ban is implemented. Immigration specialists told him that most of the elements would be impossible to apply, and that diplomatic repercussions could be severe on those provisions that could be enacted.

As criticism over his proposed ban continues to percolate, the presumptive Republican nominee pointedly said in Atlanta he doesn’t need the establishment, adding he would “do it by myself.”

We’ll be covering Sen. Bernie Sanders’ address to supporters Thursday night on Trail Guide. Make sure you’re following @latimespolitics.

NEW VOTER CATEGORY COMING SOON?

Among the budget provisions expected to pass this week is the addition of a new category to describe voters, Christine Mai-Duc reports.

A pending measure would label some voters as having “unknown” party preference, and would mostly apply to those who have registered at the DMV in recent weeks but who didn’t complete crucial questions about party preference and language preference.

These “unknown” voters would be treated the same as No Party Preference voters, according to the proposed law. So why make the distinction? It has to do, at least in part, with politics.

TODAY’S ESSENTIALS

— There was no comeback for tea party darling Sharron Angle in Nevada.

— A man arrested on suspicion of making a threat against Los Angeles City Council President Herb Wesson has filed two legal claims against the city, saying his civil rights were violated.

— Check out our Electoral College map.

— We told you yesterday about the annual Congressional Women’s Softball Game that pits female lawmakers against members of the press for charity. The Bad News Babes team reclaimed the trophy from the members of Congress last night. The final score was 8-4. Both Speaker Paul Ryan and Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi made appearances. Ryan made a Trump joke while visiting the press dugout, quipping that if the journalists’ team didn’t throw the game for his colleagues, he’d revoke their congressional credentials.

LOGISTICS

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