State GovernmentLegislature passes Newsom’s proposal to retool Mental Health Services ActSeptember 15, 2023The California Legislature greenlighted Gov. Gavin Newsom’s latest plan to build more housing and increase addiction treatment as part of his response to the state’s homelessness and drug crises.
State GovernmentHere’s what California lawmakers passed in 2023September 15, 2023 | Chris Nichols | Nicole Nixon | Manola Secaira | Srishti Prabha | Kate WolffeFrom housing affordability to fentanyl to mental health and more, California lawmakers debated hundreds of bills this Legislative session. Here’s a breakdown of what made it to the Governor’s desk — and what didn’t.
State GovernmentCalifornia lawmakers failed to fix the insurance market. So what comes next?September 14, 2023Despite agreement that the California insurance market needs fixing, legislators weren’t able to find a compromise this session.
EducationSacramento State students, faculty express anger over CSU tuition increaseSeptember 13, 2023 | Janelle SalangaCalifornia State University trustees voted Wednesday to approve raising tuition by 6% each year over the next five years, saying the move was necessary to help close a $1.5 billion budget deficit.
State GovernmentTo sweep homeless camps, California cities say they offer shelter. What that really means is up for debateSeptember 13, 2023Police can’t force homeless people from encampments unless the city in question has “adequate shelter” to offer the people getting forced off the street, according to courts. Now everyone involved wants to know what “adequate shelter” is.
EnvironmentMeet the pallid bat, California’s (possible) future state batSeptember 12, 2023 | Claire MorganThe bats have thin, long wings, which lend well to navigating the open grassy areas it likes to frequent. It’s also got golden fur and can be spotted in most California counties, including Sacramento and Yolo.
State GovernmentLast-minute deal: Wage hike for fast food workers, no ballot measure in 2024September 11, 2023A deal announced today by labor groups and the fast food industry would give workers a $20 minimum wage and pull a measure off the 2024 ballot. The Legislature has until Thursday to approve it.
State GovernmentCalifornia lawmakers ban most hand-count elections, targeting far-right Shasta CountySeptember 8, 2023Most California elections will be forced to use state-approved machines to count ballots under a bill that follows an attempt by right-wing supervisors in one county to hand-count future elections.
State GovernmentTikTok ban on state worker phones won’t happen in California this yearSeptember 7, 2023A bipartisan bill to prohibit TikTok on state phones is shelved until 2024. It had breezed through the state Legislature, but Gov. Newsom asked for the delay. It’s the latest social media regulation to get stalled in California.
State GovernmentA look at the latest 2024 California ballot measure proposalsSeptember 7, 2023 | Nicole NixonIf they qualify for the ballot, the measures would allow voters to weigh in on penalties for fentanyl dealers, cutting red tape to build housing, and personal finance classes for high schoolers.
