Capitol

The Legislative Analyst’s Office projects the 2024-25 shortfall at $73 billion, putting more pressure on legislators and the governor to find savings.

Given the state’s budget deficit, legislative leaders are calling for reviewing how existing programs are working. But there’s no good way to track their effectiveness.

The new top Democrat in the state Senate announces his leadership team and new committee chairpersons. He rewarded some allies who helped him win the post, and filled five of seven leadership posts with women or legislators of color.

State lawmakers grill Cal/OSHA officials, with allegations that employers get tipped off to inspections. The chairperson of the Assembly Labor Committee is seeking an audit.

Nineteen state lawmakers are backing a bill to prohibit homeless encampments near schools, parks and other sensitive areas. They say the billions spent to reduce homelessness aren't showing enough results.

Sen. Mike McGuire of Healdsburg takes over as Democratic leader in the state Senate from Sen. Toni Atkins. He terms out in 2026, so has limited time to push his agenda.

Faced with a huge budget deficit, legislators are on warning not to expect bills with a high price tag to pass. But that’s not always the goal of introducing bills.

A first-in-the-nation council will set work rules in the state’s fast food industry, but can labor and business agree? A similar group in the past became another battleground between workers and employers.

A bill would let state legislators, who say they fear for their safety, shield their property holdings from disclosure forms. But critics say that could conceal potential conflicts of interest.

Each year, California lawmakers pass temporary extensions to COVID-era rules that allow people to attend court remotely via video conferencing services. One of the state’s most powerful unions has been a barrier to making the popular feature permanent.