State of California Government News

Health Crime & Justice State of California

California Sent a Mentally Ill Man to a State Hospital. Then It Charged Him $760,000

07/17/2024
California State Hospitals can bill patients for the care they receive during confinement. The charges often run in the tens of thousands of dollars, putting vulnerable people in debt for years.

From CalMatters...

Elections & Politics Crime & Justice State of California

California Says ICE Detainees Have Labor Rights. They Earn $1 a Day Scrubbing Bathrooms

07/17/2024
California failed to ban private detention centers. Now, it’s focusing on their working conditions, for immigrants who toil for $1 a day.

From CalMatters...

Homelessness State of California

CA Cities and Counties Ignoring Mandate to Monitor Homeless Shelters

07/17/2024
In 2021, responding to reports that the state’s homeless shelters were dirty and dangerous, the state Legislature crafted a plan: It would require local governments to inspect their shelters after complaints and file annual reports on shelter conditions.

From CalMatters...

Business, Economy & Jobs Crime & Justice State of California

If Californians Vote to Ban Slavery This Fall, Will Prisoners Get a Raise?

07/16/2024
California courts have long upheld below-minimum wage pay for prison inmates working a wide range of jobs. A 2024 ballot measure that would ban forced labor could alter those decisions.

From CalMatters...

Crime & Justice State of California

How California Laws May Help Shield It From Supreme Court Decisions

07/10/2024
After the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022, California’s Democratic leaders moved fast to shore up reproductive rights: They persuaded voters to enshrine the right to an abortion in the state constitution, approved a dozen bills strengthening abortion protections and passed a law in May to enable Arizona doctors to temporarily provide abortion services for their patients in California.

From CalMatters...

Health Homelessness Housing State of California

Can California’s Health Care Providers Help Solve the State’s Homelessness Crisis?

07/10/2024
Taking advantage of new state funds, some California healthcare providers are starting to offer what their homeless patients really need: housing.

From CalMatters...

Environment Water Sustainability State of California

California Has Just Approved a New Blueprint for Offshore Wind. The Massive Projects Will Cost Billions

07/10/2024
Harnessing clean energy is a venture of unprecedented scope in California, bringing big changes to Humboldt and the Central Coast, and requiring 26 ports along the coast.

From CalMatters...

Crime & Justice State of California

The Supreme Court Took Powers Away From Federal Regulators. Do California Rules Offer a Backstop?

07/09/2024
In three rulings the U.S. Supreme Court dealt a body blow to the federal bureaucracy. From healthcare to climate to workers’ rights, California’s rules often go farther.

From CalMatters...

Business, Economy & Jobs State of California

California’s ‘Weak’ Job Market Propped Up by Public Money as Private Sector Sheds Jobs

07/08/2024
Private-sector jobs in California have declined since their post-pandemic peak, while public-sector employment has shown gains, the state’s Legislative Analyst’s Office says.

From CalMatters...

Business, Economy & Jobs Education State of California

California Boosts Spending to Help Students Earn Math and Science Degrees

07/08/2024
A program for low-income, first-generation STEM students at community colleges is receiving millions of dollars to expand across the state.

From CalMatters...

Elections & Politics State of California

CalMatters’ Digital Democracy Makes a Difference in the Legislature

07/08/2024
CalMatters launched Digital Democracy in April, and its impact has rippled across the Legislature.

From Santa Cruz Local...

Elections & Politics State of California

New State Laws and Recent Votes From Santa Cruz County Legislators

07/05/2024
Image for display with article titled New State Laws and Recent Votes From Santa Cruz County Legislators

Lawmakers who represent parts of Santa Cruz County include Assemblymember Gail Pellerin, Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas, Assemblymember Dawn Addis and state Sen. John Laird, D-Santa Cruz. To keep track of their votes on key bills — and some laws that went into effect July 1 — Santa Cruz Local has summarized some recent legislation by topic.

From CalMatters...

Elections & Politics State of California

CA November Ballot Is Set, Finally

07/04/2024
California lawmakers met into the night on July 3 to finish the November ballot before heading off on summer vacation until Aug. 5.

From CalMatters...

Water State of California

California Now Has Mandatory Water Conservation in Urban Areas: How Will the New Rules Affect Your Supplier?

07/03/2024
The measures are substantially weaker than a previous proposal after an onslaught of criticism. But they will still save enough water through 2050 to supply the state’s entire population for a year, at a cost of $4.7 billion.

From CalMatters...

Public Safety Crime & Justice State of California

Gavin Newsom Says Never Mind on CA Crime Measure

07/03/2024
Assemblymember James Gallagher speaks during the floor session at the state Capitol in Sacramento on June 13, 2024. Photo by Cristian Gonzalez for CalMatters

From CalMatters...

Elections & Politics State of California

2024 California Ballot Measures: What You Need to Know

07/03/2024
Much is expected of the California voter.

From CalMatters...

Environment Land Use & Development Parks & Recreation Resilience State of California

‘Nothing Will Be Protected’ — Why California Environmentalists Oppose a ‘Green’ Energy Bill

07/02/2024
Nearly every major environmental group in California opposes a bill that would modify the state’s signature environmental law to speed up upgrades to power lines. Supporters say it would help free the state from fossil fuels and make the grid more reliable, but opponents fear it would damage state parks.

From San Jose Inside...

Elections & Politics State of California

Gail Pellerin Among Top Four Stock Investors in CA Legislature

07/01/2024
Image for display with article titled Gail Pellerin Among Top Four Stock Investors in CA Legislature

The total stock portfolio of the Legislature was worth as much as $112 million last year but experts say the public should know more about a politician’s total wealth.

From CalMatters...

Education Elections & Politics State of California

Does a Proposed $10 Billion Bond Favor Richer California School Districts?

07/01/2024
Small and low-income school officials say the bond measure deal is unfair. The money is allocated through matching grants, so wealthier districts that can raise more local funds will get more money from the state.

From CapPublicRadio...

Crime & Justice State of California

California Adds Reparations Funds to Budget

07/01/2024
California advanced reparations efforts with an initial $12 million in funding included in the 2024-2025 state budget.

From The Mercury News...

Public Safety Resilience Housing State of California

State Farm Wants to Raise Rates

07/01/2024
Following an increase in homeowner insurance rates earlier this year, State Farm is seeking regulator approval to raise rates again for 1.2 million California home insurance policy holders.

From The Mercury News...

Transportation State of California

High-Speed Rail Project Advances

07/01/2024
Approval of environmental documents for the last segment of the 463-mile high speed rail project means preparation of construction may commence.

From Press Banner...

Business, Economy & Jobs Public Safety Resilience State of California

Surfnet Awarded $10M State Grant to Deliver Fiber Broadband to Rural Region

06/27/2024
Image for display with article titled Surfnet Awarded $10M State Grant to Deliver Fiber Broadband to Rural Region

Surfnet Communications Inc., a leading internet service provider for underserved Central Coast communities, has been awarded $10 million by the California Public Utilities Commission for its new initiative to extend high-speed, fiber broadband services to rural communities in Santa Cruz, Santa Clara and San Luis Obispo counties.

From CalMatters...

State of California

Who Are the Wealthiest California Legislators? Good Question.

06/27/2024
The total stock portfolio of the Legislature was worth as much as $112 million last year but experts say the public should know more about a politician’s total wealth.

From CalMatters...

Health State of California

‘Total System Breakdown’: California Firefighters With PTSD Face a Workers’ Comp Nightmare

06/25/2024
Even when suicidal, California firefighters struggle to find medical help and navigate the workers’ comp morass to pay for it.

From CalMatters...

Land Use & Development Housing State of California

California’s Debate Over Coastal Zone Reforms Has Created a False Choice Between Homes and Protections

06/25/2024
A push to bolster housing production in California's coastal communities in recent years has led to heated battles over potential state reforms. Below, a veteran elected official believes the debate has created a false choice between housing and protections. The opposing view: A former attorney for the Coastal Commission says the state Coastal Act has failed to deliver on what it envisioned.

From CalMatters...

State of California

What You Need to Know About the California Budget Deal

06/22/2024
Gov. Newsom and legislative leaders announce an agreement to bridge the state budget deficit by dipping into reserves and reducing some spending. The deal also calls for a bill in August to set aside more money and a 2026 constitutional amendment to grow the state’s rainy day fund.

From CalMatters...

State of California

Still Need Your Landline? California Regulators Just Stopped AT&T From Pulling the Plug

06/20/2024
The California Public Utilities Commission rejected the telecom’s bid to stop providing service in many parts of the state.

From CalMatters...

Water Sustainability State of California

In Rain, Snow and Drought, California’s Fights Over Water Rights, Supplies Persist

06/17/2024
Legal rights to use water — particularly those obtained prior to 1914 — lie at the heart of California’s perpetual wrangling over the allocation of increasingly limited water supplies.

From CalMatters...

Water Sustainability State of California

These California Dams Need Repairs. But Newsom Plans to Cut Grants in Half

06/12/2024
Aiming to store more water and protect the public, legislators are negotiating with the governor to restore $50 million to help repair 42 aging dams throughout the state.

State of California Government News

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