Legislator Card

Politics

California lawmakers failed to fix the insurance market. So what comes next?

Legislators weren’t able to reach a compromise that helps insurers with wildfire risk while also protecting homeowners. Interest groups hope to find one in meetings this fall.

By Alexei Koseff • September 14, 2023

Water

California lawmakers move to ban irrigation of some decorative lawns

The irrigation bill, which aims to force businesses and institutions to remove their lawns, now goes to the governor.

By Rachel Becker • September 13, 2023

Environment

Newsom signs climate bills that force large companies to reveal role and risks in climate change

Newsom signed two bills requiring large companies to report their financial risks posed by climate change as well as their annual greenhouse gases. But he will work with the Legislature to relax the 2026 deadlines.

By Alejandro Lazo • September 12, 2023

Politics

For more than 20 years, California lawmakers wouldn’t let their staffers unionize. That’s about to change

Legislators sent to Gov. Newsom a bill giving their staff the right to unionize. But a final change allows new lawmakers to dismiss their predecessor’s staffers.

By Sameea Kamal • September 12, 2023

Politics

This bill could give Californians an ally on public record requests

A bipartisan bill would create a state ombudsperson to intervene when public records requests are denied. But an advocacy group is concerned that it will encourage state agencies to go to court.

By Sameea Kamal • September 12, 2023

Higher Education

A plan to guarantee community college transfer to California’s public universities died. Now it’s back

The bill, if approved, would begin at UCLA, with other campuses added later. But not everyone is on board with the latest plan.

By Mikhail Zinshteyn • September 12, 2023

Health

A $25 minimum wage is in sight for California health care workers under new legislative deal

A last-minute legislative deal would raise pay for California health care workers while giving medical providers a guarantee that they won’t have to battle local measures on employee compensation.

By Ana B. Ibarra • September 12, 2023

K-12 Education

California pushing back on school book bans

California would penalize school boards that ban books based on inclusion of certain groups under a bill the governor is expected to sign into law. But some fear unintended consequences.

By Carolyn Jones • September 8, 2023

Education

Why new UC Berkeley housing law, if approved, won’t clear the way to build dorms yet

Assemblymember Buffy Wicks proposed legislation to help get around a court's rejection of a UC Berkeley housing plan. But even if the law is approved, its fate is in the hands of the state Supreme Court.

By Mikhail Zinshteyn • August 30, 2023

Health

California bails out distressed hospitals, offers interest-free loans to 17 troubled providers

Some independent California community hospitals have struggled with rising costs since the COVID-19 pandemic. Three declared bankruptcy this year, prompting the state to distribute interest-free loans.

By Ana B. Ibarra • August 25, 2023