Buffy Wicks

Aerial view of a suburban neighborhood with tan stucco houses topped with red tile roofs, palm trees in front yards, and a row of blue, black, and green trash bins lined up along the curb next to a parked white SUV.

Politics

New California law restricts HOA fines to $100 per violation, giving homeowners a break

Millions of California residents could get a break if they violate HOA rules under a new state law that caps fees at $100, without late fees or accumulating penalties.

By

Nadia Lathan

• October 2, 2025

Capitol

California tried to make Google pay news outlets. The company cut a deal that includes funding AI

State lawmakers give up on bills to force tech companies to pay media outlets for using news. Instead, they agree with Google on a program to help local newsrooms and to explore artificial intelligence.

By

Jeanne Kuang

• August 21, 2024

Illustration by Miguel Gutierrez Jr., CalMatters

Politics

This bill could give Californians an ally on public record requests

A bipartisan bill would create a state ombudsperson to intervene when public records requests are denied. But an advocacy group is concerned that it will encourage state agencies to go to court.

By

Sameea Kamal

• September 12, 2023

Politics

More sick days and family leave? California lawmakers push to improve work-life balance

Supporters say a series of bills before the Legislature would improve work-life balance by expanding sick days and family leave. But opponents say the proposals would hurt struggling small businesses.

By

Rya Jetha

• July 11, 2023

Sacramento city councilwoman and Democratic State Senate candidate Angelique Ashby talks to speaks at a campaign event in Sacramento on Sept. 10, 2022. Photo by Rahul Lal, CalMatters

Politics

Will women rule in the 2022 California election?

California voters elected a record 50 women to the state Legislature in November. It has been a long, tough road to more power.

By

Sameea Kamal

and

Ariel Gans

• September 21, 2022

Edgar Ortega, a construction worker, breaks down dirt for a pipeline at an affordable housing construction site in Long Beach, on July 22, 2021. Photo by Pablo Unzueta for CalMatters

WhatMatters

Clash of the titans

The end of the legislative year is upon us and that can only mean one thing in California: We’re about to have another loud debate about a controversial housing bill. It’s a Sacramento tradition years in the making. Legislators like to wait until the last minute (sometimes literally) to consider the year’s most contentious pieces […]

By

Ben Christopher

• August 22, 2022

Annabel Adams, inside of her home in Long Beach, on May 5, 2022. Photo by Pablo Unzueta for CalMatters

Health

Should health insurers cover the cost of fertility treatment?

Most health insurance plans do not cover the cost of infertility treatment, which can total tens of thousands of dollars. Now California legislators are debating whether to mandate coverage and protect another kind of reproductive choice.

By

Ana B. Ibarra

• May 9, 2022

Housing

Anti-worker or pro-worker? Why labor unions are fighting over a housing bill

A new bill aimed at increasing affordable housing construction has an important backer: California’s carpenters’ unions. The state’s formidable Construction and Building Trades Council, which represents most other construction unions, is opposed. The battle comes down to how stringent labor requirements under the new bill would be.

By

Manuela Tobias

• May 9, 2022

Graciela Gomez looks out the window from her boyfriend's home in South Gate. "One Sunday I'm home and I get served," Gomez said. "One of the credit card companies had sued me." Photo by Pablo Unzueta for CalMatters

California Divide

California may move to regulate booming debt settlement industry

A bill aims to create new rules for California's mostly unregulated debt settlement industry. AB 1405, expected to pass through Senate committees, comes at a time when the industry expects to see a 75% increase in account enrollment.

By

Erika Paz

• July 6, 2021

A row of children using smart phones. Advocates want California lawmakers to go further in regulating social media platforms. Image via iStock

Politics

California social media regulations — a tougher sell in 2021

After pioneering consumer data privacy protections, the California Legislature has tapped the brakes on proposals to further regulate social media companies.

By

Zayna Syed

• May 27, 2021