Health CareCalifornia lawmakers debate sending local health inspectors into immigration facilitiesJuly 31, 2024Immigration is regulated by the federal government, but California lawmakers may give local public health inspectors the authority to inspect privately operated immigration detention facilities.
State GovernmentWhen will Kamala Harris be the official Democratic presidential nominee?July 31, 2024The Democratic National Committee will hold a virtual roll call in early August to select a new presidential nominee, likely Vice President Harris, before its convention kicks off in Chicago.
Health CareCalifornia tries but fails to fix a major Medicare loophole for seniorsJuly 30, 2024 | Kate WolffeOlder adults choosing Medicare Advantage plans for the first time often don't realize they might get locked out of traditional Medicare for good. But changing this problem must be done state by state.
EducationCalifornia added a new grade for 4-year-olds. Are parents enrolling their kids?July 29, 2024The overall number of 4-year-olds in transitional kindergarten has increased. But as the program is being phased in, the percentage of eligible children enrolling has dropped.
EnvironmentCalifornia’s fracking ban goes into effect in OctoberJuly 26, 2024 | Manola SecairaGovernor Gavin Newsom launched the regulatory action needed to phase out fracking permits in 2021. Though the ban has not officially gone into effect, California has not approved any fracking permits after that year. Listen /Update RequiredTo play audio, update browser or Flash plugin.
State GovernmentDoorDash, Uber and other gig work companies can classify workers as contractors, CA Supreme Court rulesJuly 25, 2024 | Megan MyscofskiThe state supreme court ruled to uphold a proposition passed by California voters in 2020 that lets companies keep contracting with drivers, delivery workers and others as contractors — not employees. Listen /Update RequiredTo play audio, update browser or Flash plugin.
State GovernmentUber, Lyft, DoorDash workers remain contractors due to California Supreme Court rulingJuly 25, 2024State’s highest court refuses to overturn voter-backed Prop. 22, a law written by the gig industry. The ruling means gig workers will remain independent contractors.
Housing and HomelessnessGovernor Newsom says state agencies must plan to humanely remove homeless camps July 25, 2024 | Laura Fitzgerald | Kristin Lam | Chris NicholsThe governor’s executive order encourages local governments to also adopt plans for removing encampments. It comes after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled cities and counties can enforce bans on sleeping outside in public places.
Health CareCalifornia forges ahead with social media rules despite legal barriersJuly 24, 2024State lawmakers are advancing two bills aimed at protecting children from the harms of social media, part of a nationwide wave of efforts to address the issue. Yet the bills’ proponents face hurdles in finding an approach that can survive legal chall
State GovernmentCalifornia Democratic Party endorses Harris for presidentJuly 23, 2024 | Megan MyscofskiThe state Democratic party officially endorsed the vice president just a day after she announced her bid to replace President Joe Biden as the Democratic presidential nominee.
