Student Loans

The student loan repayment program at risk of being cut from California's budget is funded by Proposition 56, a tobacco tax approved by voters in 2016.  

California Gov. Gavin Newsom today said pandemic federal stimulus payments are safe from debt collectors, and payments on most private student loans can be postponed for the next 90 days.

The high cost of college doesn't stop at tuition, according to a new state survey. More than 30% of California students said they did not have enough money to pay for housing, and another 35% said they can't afford books and supplies.

Setting up a showdown with California, the U.S. Veteran Affairs Dept. canceled its contract with a state agency that approves colleges to receive GI Bill funds.

With the passage of Friday's suspense file deadline, more bills were culled from lawmakers' 2019 wish list, or altered. Among them:  a push to make retail receipts electronic, an effort to encourage pets in homeless shelters and stricter rules for servicers of student loans.  

Automakers oppose Newsom's tax bill. Newsom joins fight against coal. Legislators take step toward easing student debt, with assist from Steyer.

California gets more grim homelessness news. Casinos fight to keep tax break. Higher education is no longer the bargain it once was.

California sues, looks to tax opioid maker. Newsom clarifies stand on vaccination legislation. "Gimme Shelter" sifts through housing bill wreckage.

Newsom tries to keep pardon petitions confidential. Water districts seek protection from fire liability. Legislature looks to combat 'ghost guns.'

In 2016, fewer than 6% of California adolescents reported trying cigarettes, down from 19% in 2003. Why on earth did legislators feel the need to intervene in such a hugely positive youth trend? For no apparent reason, they did. The results aren't pretty.