Politics
California’s Yes Man: Meet the Democratic lawmaker who has never said ‘no’ to a bill
Assemblymember Mike Fong is the only California lawmaker who has never voted “no” on a piece of legislation.
Digital Democracy
Politics
Some legislators miss hundreds of votes, but even ‘excused’ absences count as a ‘no’
Seven Assemblymembers missed more than a quarter of their votes this year, most involving illness or family matters. But when it comes to bills, an absence is the same as a “no” vote.
Politics
Legislators could override nearly every Newsom veto. Why don’t they?
About 90% of bills that Newsom blocked this year passed with the support of more than two-thirds of legislators — enough to override a governor’s veto. But the Legislature hasn’t attempted to do so since 1979.
Politics
Newsom wants a do-over on the lemon car law he just signed. Will it hurt buyers?
Gov. Newsom reluctantly signed a bill to reform the state’s lemon-vehicle law, despite him saying it has problems that lawmakers will need to fix.
Environment
Newsom and state court judge throw wet blanket on Inland Empire warehouse boom
A judge tosses San Bernardino County's approval of a warehouse complex and Gov. Gavin Newsom reins in warehouse development with a new law.
Higher Education
UC says federal law prevents it from hiring undocumented students. A lawsuit seeks to change that
Lea esta historia en Español Update: On Oct. 10, The California Court of Appeals in the First District denied the legal petition filed against the University of California. The legal team suing the UC said on Oct. 14 that it’ll file a new petition with the California Supreme Court within a week. Members of the […]
Higher Education
California bans legacy admissions at colleges. The end of affirmative action is a reason why
This story was updated Oct. 1, 2024. California’s private nonprofit colleges will no longer be able to grant students an admissions advantage if their parents donated to or went to the same college after Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a law this morning banning the practice. The state joins a rarefied group of four others that […]
Digital Democracy
Newsom signs new law backing tribes in high-stakes gambling fight
Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a controversial gambling bill that could lead to cuts to city budgets now that he’s given legal authority to tribes to sue their competitors in the gambling business. The rival business interests spent millions trying to influence politicians this legislative session
Education
How a new California law will shield student athletes from heat
A change in California law has set new rules for when young athletes can play and practice in high temperatures, affecting schools and teams across the state.
Capitol
Critics say lawmakers watered down California’s lemon car law after secret lobbyist negotiations
A bill awaiting Gov. Gavin Newsom’s signature may make it harder for consumers to get refunds for defective cars under the state's lemon law. The Legislature hastily passed the complicated bill, which auto manufacturers and attorneys drafted in secret. Did lawmakers even have time to read it?