Despite California’s perpetual struggles with water shortages, state regulators today adopted mandatory conservation measures that are substantially weaker and save less water than they originally planned. The rules, years in the making, were mandated by a package of laws that tasked state agencies with making “water conservation a California way...
How a ‘Once in a Century’ Broadband Investment Plan Could Go Wrong
Starting next week, California residents have 30 days to challenge maps that will determine how $1.8 billion is distributed to increase internet access in the state. Actually getting the California Public Utilities Commission to accept changes to the federal maps is quite difficult, which internet access advocates with educational backgrounds...
Gavin Newsom Backs Down on Crime Measure
In a stunning, last-minute reversal, Gov. Gavin Newsom is scrapping the anti-crime measure he and Democratic legislative leaders just announced. It had been designed to compete with one backed by Republicans and prosecutors that is already headed for voters in November. In a statement tonight, the governor said Democrats “are...
He Used to Run a Nightclub. Now He’s Pushing for New Laws to Fight Drink Spiking.
Across California, hundreds of bar owners have been hanging signs that read, “Don’t get roofied! Drink spiking drug test kits available here.” If they don’t post the signs — or if they don’t have kits available for patrons to test their drinks to determine if they’ve been drugged — the...
Who Are the Wealthiest California Legislators? Good Question.
Four legislators reported at least $1 million invested in the stock market in 2023, but California’s limited disclosure laws don’t provide a complete picture of each lawmaker’s wealth. The four legislators are Sen. Roger Niello, a Republican from Roseville and a prominent car dealer in the Sacramento area; Sen. Bill...
Californians Will Decide — in 2024 — Whether to Ban Slavery. What Will the Measure Do?
In 1850, California joined the United States union as a state that outlawed indentured servitude and slavery, except for those serving out a criminal punishment. One hundred and seventy-four years later, California voters will have the chance to put the practice to an end for good. The California State Senate...
Doxxing Victims in California May Gain Right to Sue to ‘Bring Some Power Back’
When Kathie Moehlig’s personal information was leaked online five years ago, she didn’t believe she had options to fight back. “There was no recourse that I had to be able to go and have this individual held accountable for the risk at which they put myself and my family,” said...
She Crashed and Got a DUI. Now This California Lawmaker Is on a Mission to Talk About Booze.
If Democratic Assemblymember Wendy Carrillo had listened to the standard advice from campaign consultants, she wouldn’t have said much after crashing her car while driving drunk last fall. She might have issued a written apology and then avoided speaking about her DUI, in the hopes that voters would forget about...
California Real Estate Group Won’t Fight Affordable Housing Measure — for a Price
A November ballot measure to make it easier for local governments to borrow money for new infrastructure and affordable housing will likely include a big exception, preventing that money from being used to buy single-family homes. That’s thanks to a last-minute deal hammered out between a top legislative Democrat and...
A Nonprofit Got Jobs for Disabled Workers in California Prisons. A Union Dispute Could End Them
A long-simmering dispute between California’s largest state employee union and a nonprofit organization that hires disabled workers is coming to a head this summer, and dozens of people could lose their jobs. SEIU Local 1000 for several years has been trying to push the state’s correctional health care system to...