California Legislature

California cities of every size lack shelter beds for the state’s growing homeless population. A new bill would force local governments to do more, and punish ones that don't plan housing for homeless Californians.

California's budget deficit is growing as its revenues fall short of expectations. The Capitol's top Democrats disagree on what to do about it.

Just as rule changes in sports can affect the final score, rule changes in politics also affect outcomes. Three pending legislative proposals would affect what happens to local and state ballot measures.

During a dramatic hearing Thursday at the state Capitol, seven fentanyl measures finally received a verdict: Four bills passed, but the two most sweeping failed and a third was put on hold. Watching closely: Grieving families who lost loved ones to fentanyl poisoning, recovering addicts and advocates for criminal justice reform. To get inside the […]

Good news: California has a near-record snowpack in the Sierra, which could ease the impact of our deep drought. Bad news: There’s a heat wave coming this week. Really bad news: If the snow melts too fast, it could help cause devastating floods in the Central Valley. Tuesday, Gov. Gavin Newsom went to Tulare Lake […]

Although Californians' overall tax burden is among the nation's highest, the state's taxes on alcoholic beverages are among the lowest.

The Problem Solvers Caucus, one of 16 non-party caucuses in the state Legislature, wants to put public policy before partisan politics, but that's a tall task. Other caucuses are bipartisan mostly in name only.

From CalMatters’ state Capitol reporter Sameea Kamal Now we know the price tag to keep California public transit agencies from going over a “fiscal cliff” — $5.15 billion over five years. As part of a budget proposal being unveiled today in the state Senate, transit agency officials and their supporters in the Legislature are seeking […]

A California housing law grants generous benefits to builders who agree to only hire union workers. Trouble is, few if any builders found a way to do it.

Despite California's status as the world capital of high technology, its state government has been spectacularly unable to employ technology efficiently.