California Governor - CalMatters

Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis at the State of the State ceremony on March 8, 2022. Photo by Miguel Gutierrez Jr., CalMatters

Until recently, lieutenant governors rarely ascended to the California governor’s seat

by Guest Commentary July 28, 2023July 27, 2023

In California’s 173-year history, only three sitting lieutenant governors have been elected governor. The first time was in 1922. The second was 76 years later.

Reparations task force members listen during the public comment portion of a December 14, 2022 meeting in Oakland on reparations proposals for African Americans. Photo by Martin do Nascimento, CalMatters

California Divide

California reparations task force to recommend ‘down payments’ for slavery, racism

by Wendy Fry May 1, 2023May 1, 2023

Joseph Goni, the owner of Lerda-Goni Farms, looks at his flooded heifer pen on his farm on March 23, 2023. Photo by Larry Valenzuela, CalMatters/CatchLight Local

California Divide

California’s farmers reeling as flooding wreaks havoc on dairy industry

by Nicole Foy April 17, 2023May 2, 2023

Democratic Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi argues in favor of Gov. Newsom's oil profit penalty plan at the Capitol on March 27, 2023. If passed, the bill would impose a penalty on oil companies for high gas prices. Photo by Miguel Gutierrez Jr., CalMatters

California lawmakers OK Newsom plan that could someday cap oil industry profits

by Lynn La March 28, 2023March 28, 2023

A Reparations Task Force Meeting at San Diego State on Jan. 28, 2023. Photo by Ariana Drehsler, CalMatters

California Divide

California reparations task force zeroes in on who’d be eligible for compensation

by Wendy Fry January 30, 2023January 30, 2023

Katie Duberg (left) and Jennifer Richard, chief of staff for state Sen. Maria Durazo (right), embrace in front of the state Capitol after hearing that Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Durazo's paid family leave bill on the last day for the governor to sign the bill, Sept. 30, 2022. Photo by Fred Greaves for CalMatters

California Divide

Newsom signs bill making family leave affordable to more workers

by Jeanne Kuang September 30, 2022September 30, 2022

Members and supporters of the United Farm Workers march through Fresno during day 10 of their 24-day march on Aug. 12, 2022. Photo by Larry Valenzuela, CalMatters/CatchLight Local

California Divide

Newsom relents, signs farmworker union bill after pressure from Biden and labor

by Jeanne Kuang September 28, 2022September 29, 2022

Los Angeles resident Walter Forster attends a California Reparations Task Force meeting held at the California Science Center in Los Angeles on Sept. 23, 2022. Photo by Pablo Unzueta for CalMatters

California Divide

Reparations task force: State could owe Black Californians hundreds of thousands of dollars

by Lil Kalish September 26, 2022September 26, 2022

Make California a national beacon for reproductive health care access

by Guest Commentary September 13, 2022September 12, 2022

Fast-food workers and other SEIU members marched to the Capitol to deliver postcards and petitions in support of AB257 to the Governor's Office on May 31, 2022. Photo by Fred Greaves for CalMatters

California Divide, Economy

Newsom signs bill to regulate wages for fast food workers

by Jeanne Kuang August 30, 2022September 16, 2022