The state is allowing more on-street alcohol sales and food in cannabis lounges. Supporters say the laws will boost downtown economies.

The California state budget has been a rollercoaster over the past few years. Big deficits generally mean cutting plans and programs.

The increase in lobbyists this year means there’s now at least one lobbyist for every legislative staff member.

A new California law that goes into effect Jan. 1 will prohibit state-chartered banks from charging fees for withdrawals that are instantaneously declined.

In addition to money Google spent lobbying the Legislature and governor from July through September during a media bill fight, it also showered elected officials with $107,500 in campaign cash on one day in September.

Gov. Gavin Newsom wants the new Legislature to ‘protect’ California from Donald Trump on civil rights, reproductive freedom, climate action, and immigrant families. The session will start Dec. 2.

The state air board will vote on changes to its landmark clean fuel program that would cut more greenhouse gases while increasing the cost of gasoline an average of 47 cents per gallon in 2025.

A CalMatters analysis shows that California’s campaign finance watchdog has sometimes taken years to resolve cases, sometimes after politicians have won election or left office.

As a gasoline reserve bill faced a final vote today, labor advocates warned the bill’s safety measures don’t go far enough.

The vote is not guaranteed. Eight Senate Democrats did not vote for his bill, the oil industry and Republicans have been sharply critical of the proposal, which they say would actually drive up prices at the pump.

California was nearly $2 billion over forecast in corporate tax receipts this summer, including by $844 million in July. A tax change meant to help the budget deficit helped drive the surge.

Homeless service providers are scaling back and taking out loans as they wait for late payments from the government.

California will now ban legacy admissions at private colleges next year, even though few colleges admit students that way.

The California legislation would have required tech companies to test AI for harm to society. It attracted opposition from numerous members of Congress and major AI companies including Google, Meta, and OpenAI.

Gov. Gavin Newsom wants new gas reserves to dampen seasonal price spikes. California oil refiners say the move would require new storage tanks and force more price increases.

As part of a California reparations package, Gov. Newsom signed a bill to officially apologize for slavery, but he vetoed others sought by reparations supporters.