Guns

Commentary

Gavin Newsom’s trip to Israel and China was tinged with hypocrisy

California Gov. Gavin Newsom's quest to become an important national political figure took him to Israel and China last week, but it was a trip tinged with hypocrisy.

By Dan Walters • October 30, 2023

Commentary

Why California’s newest batch of gun restrictions won’t make the state safer

California passed a series of gun restrictions this year, including an excise tax on firearm and ammunition purchases. While the revenue is supposed to fund gun violence prevention, the state's lackluster history with prevention programs suggests little will actually change.

By Guest Commentary • October 25, 2023

Commentary

As Los Angeles tries new gun laws, the Supreme Court stands ready to undo them

Los Angeles has passed restrictions and reduced gun deaths over the years, but its ability to innovate could be hindered as long as the Supreme Court emphasizes "historical tradition" over the effectiveness of new regulations.

By Jim Newton • October 5, 2023

Politics

California gunmakers fear their ‘expiration date’ in a state that doesn’t want them

Gov. Newsom just signed a tax on firearms and ammunition, among other new gun control laws. California’s remaining gun manufacturers wonder if they have a future.

By Alexei Koseff • September 28, 2023

WhatMatters

California Republicans take center stage for 2024 election

California is at the center of the political universe this week — at least in Republican circles.  Wednesday night at the Ronald Reagan presidential library in Simi Valley, seven GOP presidential contenders showed up for the second televised primary debate. But one very large elephant wasn’t in the room — former President Donald Trump, who […]

By Lynn La • September 28, 2023

WhatMatters

California crime concerns spark protest in Oakland

Small business and restaurant owners in Oakland have had enough. Tuesday, dozens gathered together in a tense and raucous rally downtown, and several owners went on “strike,” closing for a few hours or the whole day, to demand public safety reforms. Concerns about rising crime reverberate far beyond Oakland: In a February survey by the […]

By Lynn La • September 27, 2023

WhatMatters

Will California strikers get jobless benefits?

The bill on Gov. Gavin Newsom’s desk whose fate is generating perhaps the greatest suspense: a measure that would allow striking workers in California to collect unemployment benefits after two weeks. It’s definitely a bill with clear battle lines drawn between labor and business. But what would its impact really be? Felicia Mello of CalMatters’ […]

By Lynn La • September 25, 2023

WhatMatters

Ricardo Lara unveils insurance plan for CA wildfires

As the threat from wildfires in California only grows with climate change, insurance companies have been pulling back their offerings to homeowners. But while the Legislature was unable to agree on how to address the high cost of doing business in the state while protecting homeowners, the executive branch is stepping in. On Thursday, Insurance […]

By Sameea Kamal • September 22, 2023

WhatMatters

Advocates lobby Gavin Newsom on California bills

The Legislature is basically done and gone until January. So let the lobbying begin — of Gavin Newsom and his key advisers for the governor to sign, or veto, bills on his desk. He usually doesn’t signal which way he’s leaning, though he did Sunday on two key climate transparency bills. He’s in New York […]

By Sameea Kamal • September 19, 2023

Politics

Which bills did Gavin Newsom sign into new California laws?

The Legislature is approving lots of significant bills in the final days of the session. But the final call is up to the governor, and he isn’t shy about using his veto pen.

By CalMatters Staff • September 11, 2023