Politics

In Gov. Gavin Newsom’s revised budget, he proposed significant cuts to the Middle Class Scholarship, which provides financial aid to more than 300,000 students. He also signaled that he won’t expand the Cal Grant program, a plan that was based on adequate funding in the state budget.

Gavin Newsom proposes a mix of spending cuts and using reserves to balance the state budget. He says that core services will be largely untouched, but some existing programs would be affected.

Today, California’s governor delivers his delayed State of the State speech. Keep up with his catchphrases with CalMatters’ trademark game.

From prohibiting non-disclosure agreements in bill negotiations to protecting utility ratepayers, bills keep dying this year despite lawmakers refusing to say “no” when it came time to vote. Is it time for the rules to change?

The California Supreme Court will decide in the coming weeks whether to kick a measure off the November ballot that would make it more difficult to raise taxes. The case pits Democratic leaders and unions against business and taxpayer groups.

The state’s average price at the pump is up 55 cents from a year ago as the more expensive summer blend kicks in, with a gas tax hike starting July 1. Legislators want to know what a new watchdog is doing to help consumers.

The Newsom administration wants state employees in the office at least twice a week. Many civil servants prefer working from home, and their unions are fighting to protect generous telework policies.

In the wake of campus protests, Republican leaders in the Legislature say that students who committed violent or criminal acts shouldn’t receive Cal Grants.

With continuing concerns about political violence, a bill would allow candidates and elected officials to use campaign donations for security expenses. Gov. Newsom vetoed a similar bill last year.

Finance and Corrections officials won’t release records on cost estimates for state prisons to comply with rules to protect workers from indoor heat. Prisons have been exempted from the regulations that are in the works.