State GovernmentShohei Ohtani’s record Dodgers contract — and deferrals — has California officials talking tax reformJanuary 9, 2024 | Mike HagertyState Controller Malia Cohen said California would lose around $98 million in tax revenue since Ohtani is deferring most of his $700 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers. She’s asking Congress to change rules allowing unlimited deferrals.
State GovernmentChina promises pandas for the U.S. — specifically California — on the 45th anniversary of the two nations' tiesJanuary 5, 2024Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said the United States and China must insist on peaceful coexistence and promised that giant pandas would return to the U.S. by year end.
State GovernmentHere’s how Sacramento organizations prepare people from underrepresented communities to serve in officeJanuary 4, 2024 | Kristin LamThe programs often aim to build a diverse bench of people who can influence civic policy decisions in the future by serving in public office. Listen /Update RequiredTo play audio, update browser or Flash plugin.
State GovernmentGroup to sue California AG over title of ballot initiative seeking to prohibit gender-affirming care for trans youthJanuary 3, 2024 | Kate WolffeProtect Kids California said Attorney General Rob Bonta mischaracterizes their effort, which would prohibit gender-affirming care and ban trans girls from girls’ competitive sports, among other elements.
State GovernmentWhat you need to know about the California Legislature’s 2024 sessionJanuary 3, 2024State lawmakers reconvene with a lot of problems to fix, but not a lot of money to spend on solutions with a projected $68 billion budget deficit. The first day is cut short by a protest over the Gaza war.
EnvironmentAs gas use declines, California could lose $4 billion in transportation funding, report findsDecember 28, 2023 | Manola SecairaA report from the state’s Legislative Analyst’s Office projects a net transportation funding decline of about $4.4 billion — or 31% — within the next decade.
Health CareSurprise ambulance bills put these families in debt. A new California law bans the practiceDecember 28, 2023Surprise ambulance bills can leave families deeply in debt after a medical emergency. A new state law that forces insurance companies to negotiate payments is expected to save Californians tens of millions of dollars a year.
State GovernmentNew California laws that might affect your 2024December 26, 2023 | Steve Milne | Chris Nichols | Nicole Nixon | Mike Hagerty | Janelle Salanga | Manola Secaira | Kristin Lam | Srishti Prabha | Kate WolffeCalifornia lawmakers passed more than 1,000 bills this past year, many of which become new California laws in 2024. Here’s a closer look at a few you might notice.
EnvironmentCalifornia approves rules that turn sewage into drinking waterDecember 21, 2023Suppliers now have detailed steps to create a new source of drinking water. But it’s not really “toilet-to-tap.” Due to the cost, it’ll likely be only large suppliers.
State GovernmentCalifornia is still losing residents, but not as quickly as at the start of the pandemicDecember 20, 2023 | Chris Hagan | Nicole NixonCalifornia lost more than 37,000 people, or 0.1%, during the last fiscal year, which ended June 30. That’s less than the nearly 300,000 who left the Golden State between 2020 and 2021.