When the California Legislature folded up its tent 10 days ago, it left an extraordinary number of high-profile bills still awaiting final votes, and the finger-pointing has been underway ever since. It’s not unusual for the last day of any legislative session to be a madhouse but the 2020 version was especially...
Walters: Banning Not Just a City’s Name
Banning is the name of a small city in Southern California, but also applies to a pervasive theme of the Legislature this year. The 1,042 bills that passed the Legislature and the 870 signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom included an extraordinary number that used the state’s police powers to prohibit activities...
Newsom’s First Rodeo: In Year One, Governor Bucks Both Trump and Brown
Californians will soon be allowed to eat roadkill but be prohibited from buying fur coats. Abortion pills will become available on college campuses, but tiny bottles of shampoo will be banned from hotel rooms. High school and middle school kids will get a later first bell, but schools won’t be...
California Lawmakers Revive a Big Piece of Obamacare
SACRAMENTO — The California Legislature voted Monday to tax people who refuse to buy health insurance, bringing back a key part of former President Barack Obama's health care law in the country's most populous state after it was eliminated by Republicans in Congress. The tax now heads to Democratic Gov....
Audit: Cal State System Stashed $1.5 Billion, Still Raised Tuition
SAN FRANCISCO — California's state auditor says the California State University system kept $1.5 billion in discretionary reserves while raising tuition at its 23 campuses and lobbying the Legislature for more funds. Auditor Elaine Howle says in a report released Thursday that CSU put the money, which came primarily from...
Hot Off the Grille: Is California Ready to Legalize Roadkill Cuisine?
Let’s get the jokes out of the way first. “Meals under wheels.” “Bumper crop.” “Gravel-tenderized meat.” Chances are state Sen. Bob Archuleta has heard most of them. A Los Angeles County Democrat, he has a bill advancing through the Legislature that would allow Californians to “salvage” recently deceased wildlife from the sides...
Oregon Set to Become 1st State With Mandatory Rent Controls
SALEM, Ore. — Faced with a housing shortage and skyrocketing rents, Oregon is poised to become the first state to impose mandatory rent controls, with a measure establishing tenant protections moving swiftly through the Legislature. Many residents have testified in favor of the legislation, describing anxiety and hardship as they...
In His Own Words: Gov. Newsom's First State of the State Address
SACRAMENTO — Governor Gavin Newsom delivered his first State of the State address before a joint session of the California Legislature on Tuesday, Feb. 12. Below is the text as prepared for delivery, with headlines and pull-outs added for reading clarity: Mr. Speaker, thank you for being a champion for all...
Brown Signed $1 Billion in Wildfire Prevention. None of It for This Year.
Protecting California from devastating wildfires was the Legislature’s biggest focus in this year’s session. Recognizing the urgency, lawmakers formed a special wildfire committee, heard from numerous experts, and, after several emotional debates, passed a $1 billion new law they said would “prevent catastrophic wildfires and protect Californians.” Less than two...
Candidates Make Final Appeals to California’s Lopsided Electorate
LOS ANGELES — Thousands of volunteers knocked on doors and dialed phones Monday while candidates across California made their final arguments to voters in an election where Democrats look to keep their stranglehold on state offices and add to their advantage in the 53-seat congressional delegation. Polls will be open...