California Legislature

Sen. Catherine Blakespear appears to be the only member of the California Legislature who has a legal defense fund. She is using it to cover bills from a lawsuit from the time she was Encinitas mayor.

On an average day in California, about 18 people die due to overdoses from fentanyl and other synthetic opioids. That works out to nearly four people every five hours. In that same five-hour period, legislators on Wednesday heard the sad account of a grieving mother, analyses from local officials and researchers and even one admission […]

A new analysis shows that the California State University system doesn’t make or receive enough money to cover its costs, even with state support. The report and lawmakers urge the system to increase tuition, but even that might not be enough.

After unanimously clearing the Senate, a bill expanding first responders' access to workers’ comp for PTSD moves to the Assembly.

Two years ago, Blackstone bought 66 relatively low-rent apartment buildings in San Diego County from a charitable foundation. Tenants of those 5,800 dwellings say they see rent increases, maintenance issues and evictions in their futures.

Under his May budget plan, Newsom wants the UC and CSU to get more state student housing in 2023-24, but the universities would have to borrow the money through bonds. The state would pay the interest on the bonds annually. Legislative analysts say the state may be overcommitting given far lower projected tax revenues.

California's public transit agencies are seeking $5 billion over five years to keep buses and trains running, but time is running out in the budget process at the state Capitol. To address criticism, they submitted a new accountability plan.

Californians who lose a loved one to a violent crime can receive support for funeral costs, counseling and other expenses from the state's Victim Compensation Board. A bill under consideration in the California Senate would extend the program to victims of police violence.

As Republicans stymie President Joe Biden's budget proposal to reverse Trump-era tax cuts and increase the corporate tax rate, Senate Democrats in California want to follow through at the state level to help close the budget deficit and keep various spending programs intact. They also proposed a 25% cut for smaller businesses and additional relief for low-income renters and families.

With the projected budget deficit ballooning, Republicans in the California Senate are urging Democrats to be cautious about spending decisions and back off on a proposal to increase taxes on major corporations.