First-termers made the state Legislature the most diverse ever and racked up some policy wins for their constituents. But they also ran into a bill and budget process that wasn’t always transparent.
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Madison Nguyen: It’s Time for Accountability
I am concerned about how we, as a city and county, are spending our taxpayers’ funds to address the homelessness crisis.
SJ Police Chief Announces Resignation of Officer Who Sent Racist Texts After Shooting Bystander in 2022
Police Chief Anthony Mata said after Internal Affairs investigators early last week discovered racist text messages sent by Officer Mark McNamara, the officer resigned and would not be charged in connection with the 2022 shooting of young Black man, who recovered and has sued the city.
With Trump’s Keynote Speech Friday, California Republicans Face Moment of Truth
The state GOP is doubling down on its support for Donald Trump, inviting him to be its keynote speaker and adding rules for the March 2024 primary that make it possible for him to sweep all national convention delegates.
California Sues ‘Crisis Pregnancy’ Centers over ‘Abortion Pill Reversal’ Claims
Several anti-abortion centers are advertising what they say is an abortion pill reversal. California Attorney General Rob Bonta calls the claims false advertising that mislead vulnerable patients.
To Keep Home Insurers in California, State Regulars Say Rates Will Have to Increase
Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara unveiled a plan to shore up the California insurance market for homeowners, in which insurers would return to wildfire zones, but would have an easier path to rate increases.
California May Force Large Businesses to Disclose Climate Impacts
Corporate reports would reveal top polluters and climate-related financial risks. But companies warn about faulty data and a “gold-plated exercise” if the two bills become law.
Op-Ed: CA Budget Includes Goodies for Special Interests
As a final California state budget is being negotiated, special interest goodies are being written into it and the dozens of related “trailer bills” that follow.
Four Things California Can Do as Home Insurers Retreat
After California’s largest home insurance provider said it wouldn’t issue new policies, consumer and insurance industry groups have ideas for what they’d like to see California do.
Union Contracts Are Unfinished Business for San Jose, as Budget Decisions Loom
The city this week announced with enthusiasm tentative agreements with three bargaining units, but the unions representing police dispatchers, building inspectors and park rangers account for a little more than just 7% of the contracts that end June 30.
California Mom Asks Police to Drop Review of Son’s Death
A 2021 state law took investigations into California police shootings out of the hands of local cops. Now, some families say the new system is agonizing in its own way.
Law that Requires Legislators To Reveal Who Pays for Their Travel Is Mostly Ignored
A 2015 law to bring more transparency to paid trips for California legislators has led to only two disclosure forms being filed by the sponsoring groups.
CA Lawmakers Schedule Audit To Find Out Why Spending Billions Hasn’t Reduced Homelessness
Sen. Dave Cortese of San Jose began pushing for the audit after touring a massive homeless encampment on vacant land near the San Jose Mineta International Airport. San Jose will be one of two cities targeted by the audit.
Videos of Police Shootings in California Are Edited to Follow the Same Script
California law requires law enforcement agencies to release body cam footage of police shootings. Many departments shape those images into stories they want to tell.
Sacramento Cuts Back on Press Access, Prefers Emails to Interviews
Accelerated by the COVID pandemic, a shift by state officials toward emails and written statements is making it more difficult for journalists to be watchdogs for Californians.
Labor Hits Back on 2024 Ballot Measures Pushed by Businesses
The oil industry qualified a 2024 ballot measure to kill a law that bans new oil wells near schools and neighborhoods, and the fast-food industry qualified another to wipe out a law creating a council to regulate fast food wages.
