View in Browser Our Journalism Needs Your Support Please Donate Today
California Local Logo
Graphic which spells out The Newsletter.


By Sharan Street
Published Oct 03, 2022

Some four-legged California residents were also covered by legislation passed in 2022. Some four-legged California residents were also covered by legislation passed in 2022. Image credit: smrm1977   Shutterstock

10-3-22: On the Books

Here at California Local we’re still inspecting the fall harvest. We mean the harvest in Sacramento—the bumper crop of legislation that rolls off the governor’s desk every September. There’s still so much to pick through in this bounty of bills designed to address some of the state’s most pressing problems—enough to keep us busy at least until it’s time to unpack the aftermath of the November general election. (To get up to speed on who’s running on Nov. 8, check out the links below to news from our media allies.)


Pet Project

One legislator who found a creative way to help his constituents is state Senator Josh Newman of Fullerton, who wrote a bill with various pro-pet provisions. Among these: Preventing landlords of subsidized low-income units from charging “pet rent” and non-refundable pet fees. And that’s just one of the bills that Jonathan Vankin details in his roundup of animal-related legislation.


California’s New Slate of Animal Welfare Laws

Dogs and cats will no longer be subject to cruel toxicity testing in California, under a new law.
New laws banning toxicity testing on dogs and cats, and making rental housing more pet friendly are among a slate of new animal welfare legislation signed by Gov. Newsom in September.

Win-Win on Two Fronts

Vankin’s coverage of the legislative bounty includes a detailed look at AB 2097. Authored by Assemblymember Laura Friedman of Glendale, the bill removes minimum parking requirements for housing developments built within a half-mile of a major public transit stop. Vankin explains how AB 2097 addresses both the climate crisis and California’s housing shortage.


New Housing and Climate Law Cuts Back on Parking Spaces

It may not seem like it, but California has too many parking spaces.
There's too much parking! Why a new law, AB 2097, cutting back on parking space requirements in new housing and business developments could be a game changer for the climate, and the housing crisis.

Data Driven

In addition to reporting on the latest from state and local government, California Local is always looking to publish useful compendia—aka our Localists. This week’s compilation lists nonprofit groups, government agencies and volunteer groups that serve the needs of Santa Cruz County’s seniors. More than 30 percent of the county’s residents are over 55—and 18.4 are already old enough for Medicare (and hey, cheaper health insurance is definitely something to celebrate).


Senior Momentum

Need legal services, transportation, home health care? You name it—there’s somewhere to turn for assistance.
California’s senior population is growing—and these local organizations are here to help.


Impact Report Image for decorative use