Capitol

California’s excise tax on legal weed is increasing, despite efforts to keep it lower to help the struggling industry. Lawmakers left it out of the state budget they passed Monday.

California Republicans who agreed to speak with CalMatters endorse President Donald Trump’s military deployment in Los Angeles as necessary to save the state from its Democratic leadership.

The California Legislature has rejected many of the spending cuts Gov. Gavin Newsom is seeking to close a $12 billion budget deficit, relying on internal borrowing to put off difficult decisions.

California firefighters say their retirement age puts them at risk of injury and illness. They're asking to lower that date, a move that former Gov. Jerry Brown warns would add risk to pension plans.

The election of the first woman of color to lead the chamber came after weeks of speculation about challenges to Senate President Pro Tem Mike McGuire’s leadership. But the pair promised an amicable transition.

Gov. Gavin Newsom proposed major cuts to Medi-Cal and other social programs to close a $12 billion deficit. Democrats in the state Legislature are pushing back, proposing more borrowing.

CalMatters found dozens of examples of previously vetoed legislation returning in subsequent years. A twice-killed bill about driverless trucks exemplifies why.

Tax credits for the parents of young children. A state-funded scientific research institute. Exempting service workers’ tips from state income tax. Those are among the hundreds of proposals California lawmakers swiftly rejected Friday under the banner of cost savings, as they cited the state’s $12 billion budget deficit — a worsening figure due to the […]

Sen. Sabrina Cervantes did not appear to be at fault in a crash near the California Capitol, CalMatters found. But police claim she was driving under the influence of a drug.

California Republicans are increasingly pushing Democrats on child sex crimes bills. The supermajority is growing more divided about it.