EnvironmentAs gas use declines, California could lose $4 billion in transportation funding, report findsDecember 28, 2023 | Manola SecairaA report from the state’s Legislative Analyst’s Office projects a net transportation funding decline of about $4.4 billion — or 31% — within the next decade.
Health CareSurprise ambulance bills put these families in debt. A new California law bans the practiceDecember 28, 2023Surprise ambulance bills can leave families deeply in debt after a medical emergency. A new state law that forces insurance companies to negotiate payments is expected to save Californians tens of millions of dollars a year.
State GovernmentNew California laws that might affect your 2024December 26, 2023 | Steve Milne | Chris Nichols | Nicole Nixon | Mike Hagerty | Janelle Salanga | Manola Secaira | Kristin Lam | Srishti Prabha | Kate WolffeCalifornia lawmakers passed more than 1,000 bills this past year, many of which become new California laws in 2024. Here’s a closer look at a few you might notice.
EnvironmentCalifornia approves rules that turn sewage into drinking waterDecember 21, 2023Suppliers now have detailed steps to create a new source of drinking water. But it’s not really “toilet-to-tap.” Due to the cost, it’ll likely be only large suppliers.
State GovernmentCalifornia is still losing residents, but not as quickly as at the start of the pandemicDecember 20, 2023 | Chris Hagan | Nicole NixonCalifornia lost more than 37,000 people, or 0.1%, during the last fiscal year, which ended June 30. That’s less than the nearly 300,000 who left the Golden State between 2020 and 2021.
Google to pay $700 million in case over whether its app store is an illegal monopolyDecember 19, 2023The deal with dozens of states resolves a lawsuit that claimed Google engages in anticompetitive behavior through its Google Play store, which is how most people download apps on Android devices.
EnvironmentOfficials hope new flood strategies can help the Sacramento region handle an unpredictable winterDecember 18, 2023 | Nicole Nixon | Manola SecairaInfrastructure meant to prevent flooding in California cities is aging and experts say the state must prepare for more intense storms as they prepare for an unpredictable El Niño winter.
State GovernmentWildfire risks will continue to drive up rates for California homeowners, insurance commissioner saysDecember 14, 2023 | Nicole Nixon“Will Californians see increased insurance costs in the future? The only realistic answer is yes,” California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara told state lawmakers this week.
State GovernmentHigh-speed rail projects in California and Nevada get a $6 billion infusion of federal infrastructure moneyDecember 8, 2023The White House hopes to jumpstart high-speed rail in the U.S. with money from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Much of the funding announced this week will go to projects in Nevada and California.
State GovernmentCalifornia budget rollercoaster: Analyst predicts $68 billion deficitDecember 7, 2023California’s Legislative Analyst’s Office projects a 2024-25 budget deficit twice as large as 2023-24. It says the state could dip into reserves and cut some one-time spending.
