California Legislature

Justice

Emotional fight over conversion therapy: Should California limit services meant to turn gay people straight?

Scientists and LGBTQ groups want California to become the nation's first state to ban what they see as a harmful, prejudice-driven practice. But First Amendment purists and some religious conservatives argue that would curtail liberty.

By Robbie Short • June 24, 2018

Health

Out with soda, juice and chocolate milk—California could become first state to restrict kids’ meals

A bill advancing in the Capitol would require restaurants to offer only water or milk with meals marketed for children.

By Elizabeth Castillo • June 19, 2018

Capitol

Swinging for the fences, California sports teams keep asking lawmakers for special deals

These proposals routinely stir up debate over California’s environmental laws and whether to grant special deals for wealthy sports franchises.

By Laurel Rosenhall • June 14, 2018

Health

In California, a fight over clinics for kidney patients

An influential union wants the state to limit profits on privately owned dialysis clinics, where kidney patients receive life-sustaining treatment. Dialysis companies are fighting back.

By Elizabeth Aguilera and David Gorn • May 30, 2018

Politics

Lawmakers back off, allowing Elon Musk—and his California customers—to play with fire

California lawmakers added fuel to Elon Musk’s entrepreneurial fire last week when they cleared the way for sales of the investor’s newest—and probably hottest—product: personal flamethrowers. In the coming weeks, some 20,000 people could be walking around with the devices.

By Robbie Short • May 30, 2018

Elections

Parks and politics: What you need to know about Propositions 68 and 70

One measure on the June ballot asks voters to shell out billions to improve the environment. Another could make it more difficult for the state to spend billions on helpful projects.

By Julie Cart • May 30, 2018

Health

A scaled-back bid to care for undocumented Californians

A Democratic bid to extend government health coverage to all undocumented, low-income adults in California has been put on hold. Lawmakers now hope to cover at least the seniors and the disabled.

By David Gorn • May 25, 2018

Economy

California could cut your high sales tax if it taxed business services. Why that won’t happen—yet

Some California lawmakers want to create a new business services tax, which they say would allow the state to cut California’s high sales tax to consumers and pull the state’s antiquated tax code into the 21st century. Here's why it's a long shot—getting more attention than ever before.

By Antoinette Siu • May 22, 2018

Capitol

Investigation finds Assemblywoman Cristina Garcia violated sexual harassment policy—but only with vulgar language

On a leave of absence from the Legislature since she was accused of sexual harassment in February—and facing intensifying attacks in her re-election campaign—Assemblywoman Cristina Garcia jumped back into the fray Thursday, sending out a press release saying she’d been “exonerated.” Not quite.

By Laurel Rosenhall • May 17, 2018

Capitol

Lead paint makers balk at huge bill for toxic cleanup—instead they want you to pick up the tab

After losing in California courts, three lead paint companies are asking voters to overturn the ruling that says they must pay to clean up toxic lead paint in older homes.

By Laurel Rosenhall • May 9, 2018