Digital Democracy

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.

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.

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.

A judge tosses San Bernardino County's approval of a warehouse complex and Gov. Gavin Newsom reins in warehouse development with a new law.

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 […]

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 […]

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

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.

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?

A tense exchange this summer between two California Democrats revealed an unwritten policy discouraging lawmakers from negotiating bills in legislative committees. It begs the question: Are lawmakers negotiating bills in secret and then rubber-stamping the decisions in public?