News Archive

Gov. Gavin Newsom more than doubled the size of a four-year-old state program that puts cash back in the wallets of the working poor. Why is California’s Earned Income Tax Credit considered such an effective anti-poverty tool?

State Government

California’s New Budget Will Fine Cities Up To $600,000 Per Month For Not Building Enough Housing

June 27, 2019 | Ben Adler

Gov. Gavin Newsom has reached an agreement with Democratic legislative leaders on how to incentivize local governments to build more housing — with a carrot and a really big stick. And on Thursday evening, he signed his first California budget.

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State Government

Gov. Gavin Newsom Must Act On His First California Budget By Midnight Tonight. Here’s What’s In It.

June 26, 2019 | Ben Adler

Newsom asked for so much in his first state budget that he spent nearly two hours discussing it with reporters in January. Nearly six months later, he’s about to get much of what he wanted.

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State Government

California Inches Closer To Banning Sale And Manufacture Of Single-Use Plastics

June 26, 2019 | Ezra David Romero

California’s getting serious about reducing plastic pollution. If two state bills become law this legislative session, they could revolutionize how the state — and the nation — deals with plastic pollution.

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State Government

California To Require Background Checks For Ammo Purchases

June 25, 2019

Gov. Gavin Newsom and other proponents said it will save lives but opponents are suing in hopes of eventually undoing a law they said will mostly harm millions of law-abiding gun owners.

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State Government

It’s Been A Mess For Decades. Can Gov. Newsom Fix The State’s Technology?

June 25, 2019

Spending $40 million to create an Office of Digital Innovation, Gov. Gavin Newsom is betting the move will push state government into the 21st century.

State Government

California Legislature OKs Health Insurance Mandate

June 24, 2019

(AP) — 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 after it was eliminated by Republicans in Congress.

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State Government

Gov. Gavin Newsom Announces Plan For $21 Billion California Wildfire Insurance Fund — With Strings Attached For PG&E

June 21, 2019 | Scott Rodd

Under Newsom’s proposal, utilities would need to meet new safety requirements and spend an additional $3 billion on improvements to be eligible for the fund.

State Government

New 911 Fee, Tax Law Changes Hand California More Than $1 Billion In New Revenue — And Budget Wins For Gov. Gavin Newsom

June 20, 2019 | Ben Adler

The California Assembly has given final approval to a series of tax law changes that will net the state more than $1 billion a year. And the Senate approved an increase to California’s fee on landlines and cell phones to modernize the 911 system.

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State Government

California’s Population Is Majority-Minority. The Attorneys Who Represent It Are Overwhelmingly White.

June 20, 2019 | Scott Rodd

California is one of the most diverse states in the country, but the lawyers in the Attorney General’s office are mostly white. Some experts say this lack of diversity may impact the department’s ability to represent the needs of all Californians.

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