Tag: Northern California

California Legislature Passes Revised $312 Billion Budget Proposal, Awaits Newsom’s Response

Democratic supermajorities in both the Assembly and Senate approved a revised version of the state’s budget on June 15, the final day of the deadline based on constitutional obligation, with the proposal now on the way to the governor’s desk for review. Votes were split by party line, with all senators present and voting 32…


Lawmaker Tells Californians to Flee State Over Bill Favoring ‘Gender-Affirming’ Parents in Child Custody Disputes

A California state senator suggested at a packed senate judiciary committee hearing on a pro-transgender bill that fighting to preserve parental rights in the state is a lost cause and advised California parents to leave if they know what’s best for their children and families. State Sen. Scott Wilk (R-Santa Clarita) made the remark at…


California Lawmakers Propose $1.1 Billion Transit Bailout Amid Declining Ridership, Rising Crime

With some transit agencies in the state pleading for assistance facing significant budget deficits due to low ridership, California lawmakers reached a tentative agreement on June 11 to make some funding available, though not as much as requested. The handshake deal was made in the Legislature over the weekend and now awaits the approval of…


California Government Works to Nip Invasive Nutria Infestation in the Bud

To a casual observer, nutria are cute animals resembling small beavers. However, a deep dive reveals something more sinister. This invasive species has been the source of damage to plant life in lakes, swamps, marshes, and more. These creatures have been the target of eradication efforts by California’s Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) ever…


California Bill to Limit ‘Racially Biased’ Traffic Stops Passes Senate

A California bill to prohibit most traffic stops for minor violations has narrowly passed the Senate. “The data clearly shows that these pretextual stops are disproportionately used against communities of color,” bill author Sen. Steven Bradford (D-Gardena) told senators on May 30. “Having these unnecessary stops puts not only the community at greater safety [risk]…


Newsom Bumps Heads With Hannity During Fox News Appearance

Commentary If former President Trump can go on liberal CNN, why not Gov. Gavin Newsom on Sean Hannity’s conservative Fox News show? That’s exactly what happened on June 12, with Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3 of the interview posted on YouTube. I’ve been writing a lot about the governor lately, because not only is…


Biden Administration Asks Court to Let City Enforce Nation’s First Natural Gas Ban

A city in California should be able to enforce the nation’s first ban on natural gas piping, President Joe Biden’s administration told a federal court this week. Berkeley’s ban on the pipes in new construction is allowed because the city was addressing a “health and safety concerns” and is therefore allowed under the Energy Policy and Conservation…


Biden Administration Asks Court to Let City Enforce Nation’s 1st Natural Gas Ban

A city in California should be able to enforce the nation’s first ban on natural gas piping, President Joe Biden’s administration told a federal court this week. Berkeley’s ban on the pipes in new construction is allowed because the city was addressing “health and safety concerns” and is therefore allowed under the Energy Policy and Conservation Act,…


California Voters Say Economy Is Most Important Issue, Half Disapprove of Reparation Payments: Poll

California voters say the economy is the most important issue facing the state and half of them don’t support paying reparations to black residents, according to a new poll by Emerson College Polling and Inside California Politics. The survey, released on June 12, asked registered voters questions on a variety of topics, including presidential candidates…


19 States Sue EPA Over California’s New Zero-Emission Rules for Big Rigs

A coalition of states has filed a lawsuit seeking a review of the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) decision to grant waivers to California that allows the state to ban new diesel-powered heavy-duty truck sales in 2035. Iowa’s Attorney General Brenna Bird led the group of 19 states that filed the legal action on June 5…