WhatMatters

Bird, created in 2017 with venture capital backing, hired a Sacramento lobbyist to push one bill, exempting adults who rent and ride motorized scooters from having to comply with the state’s otherwise strict helmet law.

The world’s fifth-largest economy has spent billions of dollars to fight climate change. But is California booming because of the law that spawned those programs or in spite of it?

Legislation to scrap California’s money bail system and give judges more say on whether to free defendants went to the governor and Gov. Jerry Brown all but promised to sign it.

A state plan to shift some of the San Joaquin River water flow toward struggling fisheries (and away from farmers) brought ag region politicians to the Capitol, in campaign mode.

Soaring claims for fire damage are driving up premiums in the Sierra foothills and other fire-prone areas. Legislators seem likely to adjourn for the year without real relief for homeowners who are unable to buy fire insurance.

Resources Secretary John Laird is making a final attempt to negotiate a deal with major water users to reduce use before a separate state agency forces the issue by imposing regulations.

Los Angeles’ police union made clear the depth of officers’ opposition to legislation that would toughen the standard for using deadly force.

Compromise seemed distant as legislators raced to complete a final report on the issue of wildfire liability by week’s end. Organized labor and trial lawyers clashed.

City officials and cops protest a proposed state rule that would permit deliveries of marijuana to any city in the state, including those that have sought to ban commercial cannabis sales.

Realtors are funding an initiative on the November ballot that would give homeowners 55 and older a property tax break. Oddly, they’re already proposing a repeat for 2020.