Who’s up and who’s down? When the news broke late Tuesday that new Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas picked new committee chairpersons and canned others, the Sacramento political sphere was immediately abuzz with talk of winners and losers. The winners include Cecilia Aguiar-Curry, the Davis Democrat who was named Assembly majority leader,...
How & When to Watch 90 Minutes of DeSantis vs. Newsom
Fox News has announced the final details for the much-debated face-off this week week between Gov. Gavin Newsom of California and Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida. It’ll be live from Alpharetta, Ga., outside Atlanta on Thursday, Nov. 30. It’ll start at 6 p.m. Pacific time and be 90 minutes long. It’ll...
Assembly Speaker Replaces Public Safety Chair Amid CA Crime Concerns
Back in July, when criticism over the Assembly public safety committee’s decision to stall a bill to increase penalties for child sex trafficking was at an all-time high, Assemblymember Reggie Jones-Sawyer told reporters that he was used to pushback: “I’ve been chair of public safety for quite some time. I...
Brownsville to LA Is the No. 1 Route Through American Politics for Migrants
The first indication usually comes from a worker in Brownsville, Texas. That person informs Los Angeles officials that Texas authorities have just completed their latest roundup of immigrants from shelters and meeting sites. The state has loaded up a bus full of men, women, and children and pointed it toward...
How and When to Watch 90 Minutes of DeSantis vs. Newsom
Fox News announced the final details Monday for the much-debated face-off next week between Gov. Gavin Newsom of California and Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida. It’ll be live from Alpharetta, Ga., outside Atlanta on Nov. 30. It’ll start at 6 p.m. Pacific time and be 90 minutes long. It’ll be moderated by Sean Hannity,...
CA Cuts Incentives for Rooftop Solar for a Second Time This Year
After months of debate and two postponed votes, California’s utility regulator unanimously voted today to overhaul incentives for owners of apartment buildings, schools and businesses that install solar panels. The new regulations are the second major step that the California Public Utilities Commission has taken in the past year...
Hey, Big Spenders! We See You Walking the Halls of the CA Capitol
You can call it advocacy, influence peddling, or the more neutral lobbying. But whatever the name, it can help determine the fate of key legislation — and it’s a big business at the state Capitol. How big? Between Jan. 1 and Sept. 30, more than $358 million was spent by nearly...
Minimum Wage Hike for CA Health Workers Will Cost Billions
In the legislative session’s waning days, California lawmakers and Gov. Gavin Newsom approved deals for two major pay increases for healthcare and fast food employees. But the cost to employers and the impact on the broader economy is only now starting to become clearer. The minimum wage hike for healthcare...
Fed Up CA Voters Push Liberal Legislature to Address Crime
Even in progressive California, the pendulum swings on crime policy, partly based on the public’s mood. This past session, the Democratic-controlled Legislature got a little tougher in some cases, with some timely intervention by Gov. Newsom and Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas on a bill to increase punishments for repeat child...
Newsom Hypocrisy Exposed by His Handling of Diversity Reporting Bills
Coming soon to California: a diversity reporting mandate for venture capital firms. Not coming soon to California: a diversity reporting mandate for Gov. Gavin Newsom. As the bill signing period wrapped up earlier this month, Newsom approved a measure that will force venture capital firms operating in California to collect and disclose...