California lawmakers are bracing for a fight against soon-to-be President Trump and top officials in his administration who have said they will push for policy and legal changes that would threaten several of the state’s progressive laws.

From immigration to gun control to environmental protections, the state finds itself at odds with Trump, who will be sworn in as the 45th president of the United States on Friday. One of the biggest tools the federal government has is control of the purse strings. California is expected to receive $105 billion in federal dollars in the upcoming fiscal year, which includes $78 billion for various health and human services. The new administration, and the Republican-controlled Congress, can reward — and punish — states with the way it distributes federal dollars.

To prepare for any battles, the Legislature has hired a Washington, D.C., law firm headed by former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder. It’s vetting Rep. Xavier Becerra, D-Los Angeles, to be state attorney general, a role that could be pivotal in any upcoming clashes with the Trump administration. Becerra was confirmed by the Assembly on Friday and is expected to receive final approval from the Senate in the coming weeks.

Scroll to top @emmaruthoneill Interactive Producer: Emma O'Neill • eoneill@sfchronicle.com

Melody Gutierrez, Catherine Ho, Carolyn Lochhead, Bob Egelko, John Wildermuth, David R. Baker and Michael Cabanatuan are San Francisco Chronicle staff writers.



