Capitol

While Democrats retain a supermajority, experts say Republican wins – and an increasingly diverse GOP Caucus – signal potential shifts in voter sentiment among non white voters

The nonpartisan Legislative Analyst’s Office projects a relatively small $2 billion shortfall for 2025-26, but says the state can’t afford new programs. Gov. Newsom has complained about attention on the office’s deficit estimates.

Gov. Newsom just bought a $9 million house in Marin County, but his sources of income haven’t been made public recently. He had pledged to release his tax returns.

Kern and Tulare county taxpayers are on the hook for a special election after Republican Vince Fong won his Congressional seat along with an Assembly seat he no longer wanted.

Between the summer session of the California Legislature featuring hot topics like AI regulation and money for journalism, and a special one focusing on gas prices, powerful corporations poured in record-setting money to influence lawmakers.

The tech giant spent $10.7 million lobbying the Legislature and governor from July through September during a media bill fight. It also showered elected officials with $107,500 in campaign cash on one day in September.

Newsom wants the new Legislature to ‘protect’ California from Donald Trump on civil rights, reproductive freedom, climate action, and immigrant families. The session will start Dec. 2.

The California Legislature is poised to see more new members than at any time in the past 10 years, but the election is unlikely to lead to any major changes in the Capitol’s partisan makeup.

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.

As a gasoline reserve bill faces a final vote today, labor advocates say the bill’s safety measures don’t go far enough.