After outcry, L.A. restricts duplexes in Pacific Palisades
As rebuilding ramps up in Pacific Palisades, Los Angeles leaders are restricting the building of duplexes on single-family-home lots.The move follows an executive order issued…
After push from L.A., Newsom plans to weaken state duplex law in wildfire areas
Gov. Gavin Newsom plans to issue an executive order Wednesday allowing Los Angeles-area governments to limit development in wildfire-affected neighborhoods by exempting them from provisions…
Conspiracy theories thwart rebuilding plan after L.A. County wildfires
This week, reality TV show star Spencer Pratt posted multiple videos on social media savaging a proposed state bill on wildfire rebuilding. In one, Pratt…
Newsom’s podcast sidekick: a single-use plastic water bottle
Johnny had Ed. Conan had Andy. And Gov. Gavin Newsom? A single-use plastic water bottle.In most of the YouTube video recordings of Newsom’s new podcast,…
Despite political promises, Californians are stressed about their finances
SACRAMENTO — After voters in November sent a clear message that the rising cost of living remained a top concern, California lawmakers came to the Capitol vowing…
California lawmakers take steps to shield immigrants from Trump policies
SACRAMENTO — California legislators announced several bills to protect the state’s immigrants being targeted by President Trump’s aggressive new policies, including federal enforcement raids at schools, hospitals…
Newsom stymies implementation of landmark California plastic law
Gov. Gavin Newsom this week stymied implementation of landmark state environmental legislation that would have limited the amount of single-use plastics sold and distributed in…
Ethics violation lodged against former CalRecycle director
For lawmakers and lobbyists who worked on ensuring the passage of California’s landmark plastic waste law, Rachel Wagoner’s abrupt career shift was nothing short of…
What has a 2018 law done to ‘Trump-proof’ California on immigration?
WASHINGTON — Two days after Donald Trump won the 2016 election, California state Senate President Pro Tem Kevin de León canceled a flight to Germany and called…
Is the plastic industry trying to kill SB54, California’s polystyrene ban?
On Jan. 1, polystyrene packaging became illegal to sell, distribute or import into California — the result of a landmark waste law signed by Gov.…
How new California laws could affect you in 2025
California lawmakers passed roughly 1,200 bills last year, including some that resulted in unforeseeable wins by Republicans, promising protections for consumers and small strides for…
Gov. Gavin Newsom vetoes AI safety bill opposed by Silicon Valley
SAN FRANCISCO — Gov. Gavin Newsom on Sunday vetoed SB 1047, an artificial intelligence safety bill that would have established requirements for developers of advanced AI…
Newsom vetoes bill intended to enforce heat rules for farmworkers
Gov. Gavin Newsom has vetoed a bill that aimed to make it easier for farmworkers to make a workers’ compensation claim for heat illness.SB 1299…
Mark Hamill, J.J. Abrams, sign letter in support of AI safety bill SB 1047
More than 125 Hollywood actors, directors, producers, music artists and entertainment industry leaders have added their names to a letter released Tuesday urging Gov. Gavin…
California’s AI safety bill is under fire. Making it law is the best way to improve it
On Aug. 29, the California Legislature passed Senate Bill 1047 — the Safe and Secure Innovation for Frontier Artificial Intelligence Models Act — and sent…