In an urgent attempt to prepare California for a surge of critically ill coronavirus patients, state lawmakers Monday allocated up to $1 billion for an unprecedented ramp-up of hospital capacity, and then, in an extraordinary move, went home for a month — or perhaps longer — effectively shutting down business at the state Capitol as […]
Legislature
Posted inNews
New Laws with New Protections Ring in the New Year
With the new year come new laws and 2020 has a bevy of changes going into effect on everything from California’s minimum wage and the classification of independent contractors to protections for nursing mothers and a ban on smoking at state parks and beaches. Here’s a glance at a few of the ones that may […]
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McGuire at Town Hall: Legislature ‘Hyper-Focused’ on Holding PG&E Accountable
At Blue Lake’s “Community Conversation and Coffee” with Sen. Mike McGuire on Thursday, there was plenty on the agenda but the conversation started, ended and repeatedly returned to the previous day’s power outage that had left Humboldt County in the dark for more than 24 hours. McGuire was quick to open by admonishing Pacific Gas […]
Posted inLetters + Opinion
Ryan’s Law
There’s a bill sitting on Gov. Gavin Newsom’s desk that could radically change end-of-life care options for some patients in California hospitals. Senate Bill 305, which passed both chambers of the Legislature with unanimous votes last month, would prohibit health care facilities from interfering with a terminally ill patient’s use of medical cannabis, giving dying […]
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How Powerful Lawmakers Kill California Bills Without a Peep
Gun control, school spending, curbs on greenhouse gases: With Democrats holding more power at the Capitol than they’ve had since the 19th century, California’s legislative pipeline is full this year with big, blue-state ideas. In theory, no Democrat’s bill should be left behind. But that’s not what’s happening, and the reason is roiling both sides […]
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Newsom’s Move: Not Yet Health Care For All, But Health Care for More
It was way easier for candidate Gavin Newsom to endorse single-payer health care coverage for everyone than it is now for Gov. Newsom to deliver it. Yet hardcore advocates say they’re pleased with the moves he’s made thus far — even if it may take years to come to fruition. “This is a governor that is […]
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California Lawmakers Negotiating Law Aimed at Reducing Police Shootings
Jamilia Land walked out of a meeting in the state Capitol feeling optimistic that 2019 may be the year California changes the law to try to reduce the number of people killed by police. It’s personal for her. Land is a family friend of Stephon Clark, the unarmed man Sacramento police shot dead last year […]
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Find Yourself in the California Legislature — Or Not
There are (still) more white men named James or Jim in the California Legislature than African-American and Asian-American women combined. Throw in some white Robs, Bobs and Roberts, and you have a pretty sizable “JimBob” caucus with a membership larger than the number of Republican women, openly gay or lesbian legislators, or women from any […]
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Wood, McGuire Applaud Gov.’s Budget Plan
California Gov. Gavin Newsom released the first budget proposal of his tenure today, proposing a $209 billion spending plan that would increase funding for schools, healthcare programs and the fight against homelessness. The budget proposal — which came in at about $8 billion more than Gov. Jerry Brown’s last spending proposal — also would increase […]
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Surf’s Up, California: With 2019, Come New Laws
Hundreds of new laws took effect in California today, regulating everything from drinking straws and bicycle helmets to worker pay and kids’ meals. Here’s a quick rundown of some of the important, noteworthy and quirky things that took effect New Year’s Day. Minimum Wage Hike: As the state continues its march toward a $15 minimum […]
Posted inLetters + Opinion
Little Sunshine in Congress, State Legislature
“The people of this state do not yield their sovereignty to the agencies which serve them. The people, in delegating authority, do not give their public servants the right to decide what is good for the people to know and what is not good for them to know. The people insist they may retain control […]
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Trump Tax Return Bill Moves to Governor’s Desk
The California Legislature has passed a bill by North Coast Sen. Mike McGuire requiring presidential candidates to publicly release five years of tax returns before being placed on Golden State ballots, sending it on to Gov. Jerry Brown and, potentially, putting him in an awkward spot. The bill, which McGuire authored in the wake of […]