California Legislature

Politics

California primary results: Who is advancing to November?

The June primary is when California voters choose the top two for governor, statewide offices, U.S House, Assembly members and some senators.

By CalMatters Staff • June 7, 2022

Environment

Climate controversy: California’s plan for handling crisis is flawed, advisors say

California’s climate change plan fails to provide substantial evidence that capturing carbon will meet ambitious greenhouse gas goals, critics say. The plan “does California a disservice,” one state advisor said.

By Nadia Lopez • June 3, 2022

Commentary

Baked-in problems with California’s rent relief program need fixing

The state must reopen its Emergency Rental Assistance Program and make it easier for Californians to apply successfully and pay off pandemic rent debt.

By Guest Commentary • June 3, 2022

WhatMatters

Will California gun laws go national?

On Thursday morning, Democratic lawmakers gathered at the western steps of the state Capitol to commemorate victims of gun violence and orate on the need for tougher gun laws — both in California and nationally.  Whatever fissures erupted into public view earlier this week in an Assembly leadership fight, almost all California Democrats seem to […]

By Ben Christopher • June 3, 2022

WhatMatters

A thirsty state

So it begins. More than 6 million water users (that is, humans) across Southern California woke up on Wednesday to find themselves under new drought restrictions.  If you’ve been following the numbers, none of this should be surprising: As CalMatters’ tracker shows, California has been in a drought for 843 days In March, the State […]

By Ben Christopher • June 2, 2022

WhatMatters

Assembly Speaker Rendon keeps his crown

After a weekend of lobbying, jockeying and speculating, then a flurry of parliamentary maneuvers and a six-hour closed-door caucus meeting on Tuesday, California Assembly Democrats finally came to a decision about who ought to serve as speaker. The answer: The current speaker, Anthony Rendon. The announcement came not with a bang but a whimper: At […]

By Ben Christopher • June 1, 2022

WhatMatters

California’s next Assembly speaker. Maybe.

Et tu, Rivas? Late Friday, just as legislators — and everyone else in the state — were preparing to check out for the long holiday weekend, an earthquake rocked the California political world: Assemblymember Robert Rivas, a Salinas Democrat, announced that he had “secured enough votes” to become the next speaker of the California Assembly. […]

By Ben Christopher • May 31, 2022

Justice

Bill would allow lawsuits for marketing guns to kids

A proposed California law that is part of a larger package of gun control bills would allow the attorney general to sue gun manufacturers over marketing practices.

By Nigel Duara • May 27, 2022

WhatMatters

After Texas shooting: A call to ‘advance our resolve’

Note: This is CalMatters political reporter Ben Christopher filling in for Emily Hoeven while she enjoys a well-deserved vacation.  Buffalo. Boulder. Aurora. Las Vegas. Orlando. San Bernardino. Sutherland Springs. Poway. Parkland. Sandy Hook. At a press conference on Wednesday, Gov. Gavin Newsom rattled off a list of towns that have become tragic metonyms of our […]

By Ben Christopher • May 26, 2022

Commentary

Protect cannabis tax revenue to bolster children’s welfare

Cannabis revenue has become a major funding source for state services to children and families living in poverty. The Legislature needs to back the governor’s long-term solution to protect it.

By Guest Commentary • May 25, 2022