California Legislature

A person wearing sunglasses and a light shawl walks beside another person in a suit outside a courthouse, surrounded by reporters and TV crews holding microphones and cameras.

Commentary

California can’t shed a history of persistent government corruption

Prosecutions, referenda, recalls and regulatory agencies have, over the years, curbed some of California's government corruption, but not all of it.

By

Dan Walters

• February 6, 2026

Democratic Assemblymember Robert Rivas on the floor on May 31, 2022. Photo by Miguel Gutierrez Jr., CalMatters

Politics

A top Democrat wants to know if California laws are working. Lawmakers get to pick which ones

Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas wants lawmakers to assess the effectiveness of state laws as his new approach to accountability. But legislators get to pick which laws get the scrutiny and details remain scant.

By

Yue Stella Yu

• February 4, 2026

Construction on the High-Speed Rail above Highway 99 in south Fresno on March 3, 2023. Photo by Larry Valenzuela, CalMatters/CatchLight Local

Politics

Some California high-speed rail records could remain secret under proposed law

California created an inspector general to monitor its long-delayed high-speed rail project. Now, one lawmaker wants to allow that office to withhold some investigative records from the public.

By

Yue Stella Yu

• February 3, 2026

Dave Lesher in the CalMatters newsroom on April 3, 2024. Photo by Fred Greaves for CalMatters

Inside the Newsroom

CalMatters’ visionary co-founder, Dave Lesher, retires

Dave Lesher turned CalMatters into one of California’s most influential newsrooms — and launched new tools to make your government transparent

By

Ryan Sabalow

• February 2, 2026

A wide-view of lawmakers standing and talking to each other in the middle of a legislative floor filled with desks. A white chandeliers hangs above the room and the room is decorated with beige and green fixtures.

Commentary

California lawmakers can’t resist writing performative legislation

Many bills represent serious efforts to address real issues, but many are offered to please political constituencies, align with popular trends or repay political debts.

By

Dan Walters

• January 29, 2026

An older lawmaker sits at a wooden desk inside a legislative chamber, wearing a suit and patterned tie, looking to the side as other lawmakers work in the background.

Commentary

California budget volatility continues to complicate efforts to close its deficits

California's budgets have been susceptible to the ways wealthy taxpayers derive their income, particularly during periods of economic uncertainty.

By

Dan Walters

• January 28, 2026

A person wearing a red blazer stands while facing a room full of people sitting at their desks. The room is decorated with beige columns and red curtains.

Commentary

Cracks between Newsom and frustrated lawmakers show in first budget hearings

Newsom has steadily opposed major tax increases, but an ongoing, multiyear deficit and growing frustration among legislators has created a gulf between the governor and his allies on how to fix the problem.

By

Dan Walters

• January 27, 2026

A dense crowd of protesters marches down a city street at dusk, with several people holding signs that read “Stop ICE Now,” some illustrated with a fire hydrant spraying flames, as traffic lights and tall buildings glow in the background and reflections appear along a glass wall at right.

Politics

California Democrats urge government shutdown after federal agents kill Minnesota nurse

More than half of California's Democratic legislative caucus called for a government shutdown and introduced bills to hold federal agents accountable

By

Maya C. Miller

• January 26, 2026

Sprinklers spray water across long, evenly spaced rows of young crops in a farm field, with mist drifting through the air in soft light.

Politics

How California lawmakers are trying to speed up spending on voter-approved climate projects

Assemblymember David Alvarez is pushing a proposal to get Prop. 4 dollars out the door faster more than a year after voters approved the state’s biggest climate bond to date.

By

Nadia Lathan

• January 23, 2026

Exterior of a restaurant with the word “cafeteria” painted on a green wall, partially shaded by trees, with a modern metal canopy overhead.

Politics

Lobbyists and lawmakers mingle over luxury tequila, shrimp and cigars at capital party

Hundreds of politicians, staffers and lobbyists attended the annual "back to session bash" Thursday, funded by tribal groups, sports betting companies and other special interests aiming to influence them.

By

Yue Stella Yu

• January 21, 2026