State Sen. Jim Beall is angry. Four times now, he has introduced legislation to better enforce state and federal “parity” laws, which require equal treatment of mental and physical health problems. Four times, that legislation has failed. As he enters his final year in the Legislature, the San Jose Democrat...
Canada's Trudeau Wins 2nd Term but Nation More Divided
TORONTO — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau won a second term in a stronger-than-expected showing in Canada's national elections, claiming a "clear mandate" Tuesday despite a Parliament and nation increasingly fractured along regional lines. Trudeau's Liberal Party took the most seats in Parliament but lost its majority in Monday's balloting. That...
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....
The Address That Wasn’t: A State of the Union Quiz
For the first time, a presidential State of the Union address is being rescheduled due to partisan politics. It’s the latest chapter in a tradition that stretches to the closing days of the 18th century. How much do you know about the State of the Union speech? Take the quiz...
Newsom's First Actions as Governor Target Health Care
SACRAMENTO — Gov. Gavin Newsom's first act as governor Monday was to propose state-funded health coverage for 138,000 young people in the country illegally and a reinstatement of a mandate that everyone buy insurance or face fines. Newsom also proposed giving subsidies to middle-class families that make too much to...
California First State to Mandate Solar Power for New Homes
LOS ANGELES — California became the first state in the nation to require homes built in 2020 and later be solar powered, following a vote by the Building Standards Commission. The unanimous action on Wednesday finalizes a previous vote by the Energy Commission and fulfills a decade-old goal to make...