California Legislature

Gov. Gavin Newsom signs a bill to return Manhattan Beach land to descendants of its original Black owners, the Bruce family, in Manhattan Beach on Sept. 30, 2021. While Newsom held public events on bill signings, he announced vetoes by press release. Photo by Brittany Murray, Pres-Telegram/SCNG

Politics

Newsom’s vetoes: Why did the governor block California bills?

Gov. Newsom had his reasons for blocking California bills passed by the Legislature: cost, duplication and some politics. Overall, he signed 770 bills into law and vetoed 66, or about 8%.

By

Laurel Rosenhall

• October 12, 2021

Speaker Anthony Rendon waves to the assembly after the close of the legislative session for the year on Sept. 10, 2021. Photo by Anne Wernikoff, CalMatters

WhatMatters

770 new laws coming to California

Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed 770 new California laws and vetoed 66. Here's a look at what's coming in the Golden State.

By

Emily Hoeven

• October 11, 2021

Health

State health department blasted over nursing home oversight

The California Department of Public Health blames staffing shortages, turnover, training and pandemic pressures at Tuesday’s hearing at the Capitol.

By

Jocelyn Wiener

• October 6, 2021

WhatMatters

‘What real reparations can look like’

Good morning, California. It’s Friday, October 1. Police reform + racial justice Better late than never. That was the message undergirding a stack of criminal and racial justice bills Gov. Gavin Newsom signed into law on Thursday, a year after many of them failed to make it out of the Democratic-controlled state Legislature. California now […]

By

Emily Hoeven

• October 1, 2021

Commentary

Permanent solution needed to continue government meetings online

California must act soon to ensure that residents can enjoy the benefits of remote participation in public agencies.

By

Guest Commentary

• September 29, 2021

Some partisans are not disclosing their affiliations in hearings with the California Citizens Redistricting Commission.

Politics

Between the lines: Hidden partisans try to influence California’s independent redistricting

California congressional districts are drawn by an independent citizens commission, but it's hearing from candidates and party officials who don't disclose their partisan affiliations.

By

Ben Christopher

and

Sameea Kamal

• September 28, 2021

Martha Garrido, a domestic worker who lives in San Francisco, was unable to work for several weeks after breaking her hand but did not have access to paid sick leave. Photo by Anne Wernikoff, CalMatters

Economy

California’s extra sick leave for COVID-19 ended, but is it time to restore it?

A state law gave California workers as much as two weeks additional paid sick leave during COVID-19, but it ended Sept. 30 as a federal tax credit that offsets the cost for employers also expires. Labor groups say the extra leave should be restored. And Gov. Gavin Newsom now says the Legislature should do so.

By

Sameea Kamal

• September 23, 2021