Tina McKinnor

A supermajority of Democrats and emboldened Republicans return to the Capitol today — at odds over how to lower the cost of living, how much to resist a second Trump presidency, where to trim state spending, how to harness tech innovations, and how far to go providing reparations to descendants of people once enslaved.

The controversial idea of cash reparations divided even Black advocates in the legislature this year. Here’s what’s next.

Only one legislator in the California Assembly voted against a controversial shoplifting bill while dozens of progressive lawmakers declined to vote.

Pending legislation would lift requirements for California’s doctors to report all domestic abuse cases to police. The Assembly’s three physicians had different opinions.

Democratic lawmakers are debating how a bill to reduce retail theft would affect Black and Brown Californians. While some say it would unfairly target shoppers, others say jobs are at stake.

At least 24 Black women are running for seats in the California Legislature this year, resulting from years of work cultivating new leaders and growing confidence among voters.