California Legislature

Capitol

VIDEO Breakdown: Does California’s new class of legislators reflect the state?

After a political "Year of the Woman," what percentage of California's new legislature is made up of women? With Latinos a plurality of California, are they a plurality among state legislators? Who's over-represented compared to their share of the adult population? Who's under-represented by the same metric? Watch to see how these lawmakers' demographics stack up agains the state as a whole.

By Byrhonda Lyons • January 14, 2019

Capitol

Find yourself in the California Legislature—or not

There are (still) more white men named James or Jim in the California Legislature than African-American and Asian-American women combined. Throw in some white Robs, Bobs and Roberts, and you have a pretty sizable “JimBob” caucus with a membership larger than the number of Republican women, openly gay or lesbian legislators, or women from any party under the age of 40. A data dive into diversity, or lack thereof.

By Elizabeth Castillo and Matt Levin • January 8, 2019

Economy

Go local on housing, forget the surplus: Advice for the new governor from economists

The uncertainty of a U.S. trade dispute with China, which could trigger a recession, to a lack of affordable housing are among some of the chief concerns of economists as Gavin Newsom takes the helm in California.

By Judy Lin • December 12, 2018

Commentary

My turn: We can prevent gun violence. Here’s one way

By Mara W. Elliott Mara W. Elliott is San Diego City Attorney, cityattorney@sandiego.gov. She wrote this commentary for CALmatters. Mass shootings and everyday gun violence have become so commonplace in America that many people are losing hope that we can stop the senseless loss of innocent lives. But in collaboration with the San Diego Police […]

By Guest Commentary • December 11, 2018

Newsletters

California’s next Legislature takes shape

California's 2019 legislative session commences, lobbyists crowd a lobby after a swearing in, a sign of the stakes, McKesson leaves, and a Hall of Famer.

By Dan Morain • December 4, 2018

Capitol

On Day One, hints of California’s Democratic agenda to come

California's Democratic-dominated Legislature, which convened Monday, hinted at its coming agenda with first-day bills on issues from housing to wildfire.

By Laurel Rosenhall • December 3, 2018

Capitol

A deep blue sea of California lawmakers takes oath of office

A new Legislature was sworn in at the Capitol on Monday, with a Democratic mega-majority in both chambers. But within that huge margin is historic diversity.

By Elizabeth Castillo and Laurel Rosenhall • December 3, 2018

Newsletters

A new Legislature, a new session

A new Leglslature arrives, Jerry Brown and Tom Steyer both move on water, California opioid deaths, Pasadena's Al Lowe passes, and wildfire recovery.

By Dan Morain • December 3, 2018

Newsletters

By the numbers: Migrants, online Black Friday taxes and the CA GOP

Troops and migrants at the California border, online sales taxes soon to be collected, California's dwindling Republican Party, artificial intelligence, scamming seniors and suspect supplements.

By Dan Morain • November 28, 2018

Economy

A landslide, supermajorities and now a fat budget surplus: It’s good to be Gavin right now

The good news just keeps coming for California Gov.-elect Gavin Newsom. Not only did he win a resounding 60 percent-plus landslide, but he will be greeted by a two-thirds supermajority of fellow Democrats in both houses—more than sufficient to approve a tax increase. Not that he’ll need it any time soon. That’s because he’ll also […]

By Dan Morain • November 14, 2018