Toni Atkins

Affordable housing advocates are asking why bills supported by state Senate leader Toni Atkins got stuck in the Assembly. One answer appears to be a labor provision pushed by the State Building and Construction Trades Council. But after some changes, several bills were passed and signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom.

Thursday’s vote could allow UC campuses to raise tuition every year, indefinitely — despite receiving extra state cash. Student groups are outraged and key lawmakers oppose the move, but UC says it needs more money and that financial aid will blunt the hit to students.

On its way out of town for summer recess, the Legislature passed a veritable caravan of budget “trailer bills” Thursday. But wait, you ask: Didn’t the governor sign a budget bill in mid-June? And didn’t he also sign another budget bill earlier this week?  Yes and yes. And if you’re confused it’s because California’s budget […]

Gov. Newsom and legislative leaders reach a spending agreement to help residents recover from the COVID-19 economic crisis and, perhaps, help Newsom defeat a recall campaign.

Gov. Newsom and key legislators agree to extend statewide eviction ban through Sept. 30, to provide full back rent for tenants and landlords. The deal includes fixes to speed rent relief payments.

The state of California is paying itself $500,000 for administering Gov. Gavin Newsom’s vaccine lottery. The news, which I first reported Thursday, comes about a week after Newsom wrapped up a whirlwind series of events in which he gave away millions of dollars and other prizes to encourage Californians to get the COVID-19 vaccine. It’s […]

Democratic lawmakers are taking steps to move up the date of the all-but-certain election to recall Gov. Gavin Newsom — a sign they may be listening to arguments that doing so could help him stay in office. Thursday morning, the state Department of Finance released estimates showing it would cost California’s 58 counties at least […]

Lawmakers shelve dozens of significant bills, many opposed by special interests. They include proposals on police reform, housing, health care and more.

Legislators are talking a lot about equity in housing, and could help more Black families buy their own homes. But advocates say lawmakers are failing to confront racial equity in many other ways.

I’ve led the state Democratic Party’s environmental caucus for eight years, but I am alienated by leadership that prefers jobs on a dying planet.