Kate Wolffe

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Get up to speed fast on Newsom’s last new laws and vetoes

It’s official: Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed and vetoed his last bills as California governor. Wednesday was the final day for Newsom to weigh in on 1,160 bills that were sent to him by state legislators. The governor, widely understood to be gearing up for a run for president, wanted the spotlight on some bills […]

By Kate Wolffe • October 1, 2026

Economy

Newsom signs anti-monopoly bill after bruising legislative battle

Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 1776 on Wednesday, modernizing state antitrust legislation. However, former supporters argue the bill was defanged after a multimillion-dollar lobbying effort by business groups.

By Kate Wolffe • September 30, 2026

Politics

A timeline of California’s decades-long fight to keep Hollywood in state

Since 2009, California has increased its incentives for companies to film in the state. One Hollywood-area lawmaker says there’s still more to do to beat the competition from other states.

By Kate Wolffe • September 21, 2026

CalMatters en Español

Cómo la mujer más poderosa del gobierno de California está dejando su huella en la Legislatura

Si bien la senadora Monique Limón no ha logrado una victoria legislativa contundente en su primer año como presidenta interina, su mayor logro hasta el momento es su popularidad entre sus colegas del Senado. A diferencia de su predecesor, conocido por su tendencia a la microgestión, el enfoque igualitario de Limón, basado en el consenso, ha mantenido a su bancada unida.

By Kate Wolffe and Maya C. Miller • September 16, 2026

Politics

How the most powerful woman in California government is making her mark on the Legislature

While Sen. Monique Limón doesn’t have a blockbuster legislative victory to show for her first year as pro tem, her biggest win so far is her popularity with Senate colleagues. Unlike her predecessor, who was known as a micromanager, Limón’s egalitarian, “govern by consensus” approach has kept her caucus in lockstep.

By Kate Wolffe and Maya C. Miller • September 16, 2026

Politics

After a backlash over votes on sex offenders, two California parole board members were dropped

Two parole board members who authorized the release of men convicted of sex crimes were ousted after Senate President Pro Tem Monique Limón declined to take up their appointments. Criminal justice advocates are concerned.

By Kate Wolffe • September 11, 2026

Politics

California to get more power to sue big businesses under anti-monopoly bill going to Newsom

California prosecutors would gain new powers to sue big businesses over alleged anti-competitive practices under a bill Democratic lawmakers sent to Gov. Gavin Newsom.

By Kate Wolffe • August 31, 2026

Politics

Surprise Solano County vote kills California Forever’s shipyard bill for this year

Supervisors rejected a California Forever plan backed by Gov. Gavin Newsom to allow construction of a shipbuilding facility in Solano County.

By Kate Wolffe and Yue Stella Yu • August 25, 2026

Politics

Inside California Forever’s high-pressure push to fast-track a shipyard

California Forever pressured Solano County officials to support state legislation to fast-track its shipyard development, newly obtained public records show. Now, during the final weeks of the legislative session, the company is ramping up the pressure again.

By Yue Stella Yu and Kate Wolffe • August 19, 2026

Politics

Most California senators supported this ADA lawsuit bill. It died anyway

Sen. Roger Niello's proposal to give businesses more time to fix ADA violations before facing lawsuits won overwhelming Senate support. But it died without an Assembly hearing after judiciary chair Ash Kalra rejected the bill in favor of a competing approach.

By Kate Wolffe • July 9, 2026

Kate Wolffe

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