California State Legislature
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Disability services group director says PAGA lawsuits are damaging small businesses, nonprofits
A California law that allows individuals to file civil lawsuits against employers to resolve state Labor Code disputes needs to be overhauled this year to end trial-attorney shakedowns of small business and nonprofits, according to a disability services advocate. -
Last-minute budget bill gives state preemptive strike before voters decide on Nov. ’24 fast food ballot question
A late addition to the budget could stop a hard-fought opportunity for voters to have their say on a November 2024 ballot measure about the future of fast food in California. -
Legislation threatens California businesses with big new risk from website, app accessibility lawsuits
A new bill that could mean another record filing of California lawsuits on website accessibility is now under consideration by Sacramento lawmakers, following a “gut-and-amend” process that let it replace a different bill that had already been through required legislative channels. -
Lawmakers, worker advocates line up to defend independent contractors vs efforts to take California-style restrictions national
The U.S. Department of Labor under President Biden is preparing to seek to impose rules nationwide to limit the ability of people to work as independent contractors, mirroring and expanding rules imposed by California through legislation like AB5. -
California prepares for cuts as new budget deficit tops $30 billion
With the June budget deadline fast approaching, the state needs to fill a $32 billion deficit but precisely what is going to be cut remains to be seen. -
Housing crisis prompts California to sue another city with broad enforcement measures
Amid the California housing crisis, state leaders are increasingly taking action against cities that state officials say haven’t done enough to comply with state housing laws, including filing suit against Elk Grove over its recent rejection of a new housing development. -
Lawmakers, nonprofit groups work to increase fentanyl penalties as deaths rise
With overdose deaths increasing exponentially in the first months of 2023 – up 40 percent compared to last year – residents are urging state lawmakers to act quickly to address the problem, with Gov. Gavin Newsom bringing a contingent of the National Guard to parts of San Francisco. -
Record rains heighten push to speed up work on California's long-approved water storage plans
Amid the impact of recent heavy rains and fire season fast approaching, questions persist about where things stand with water storage projects and why the state still hasn’t completed new ones with funding approved by voters almost a decade ago. -
Newsom launches new homelessness plans while on four-city tour in place of traditional State of State address
Newsom pledges to spend $1 billion more to address homelessness in California. But critics say the state cannot spend and build its way out of the homelessness epidemic gripping California -
California lawmakers Jones, Grayson honored for leadership in civil justice policy
The Civil Justice Association of California has named the 2023 recipients of the Civil Justice Gavel Award, which recognizes legislators with a record of working on balance and equity in California’s legal system. -
Legislation introduced to revise Prop 47 to address rising crime in San Francisco, other California cities
With burglary and other theft crimes still on par with last year in San Francisco and many other locales, new legislation to overturn Proposition 47, the California law that lessens penalties for criminal violations, is scheduled for a hearing this week. -
New California tax to penalize oil industry stirs opposition, concern over 'job killer' price hikes
A bill to tax oil companies on profits is raising questions about the impact on residents and businesses already facing inflation pressure and high gasoline prices. -
New California policy review aims to require more cities to build more 'affordable' housing
As deadlines loom for California jurisdictions that haven’t sent in required plans to build more housing, San Francisco’s plan to create roughly 82,000 more units just was approved. -
New scorecard rates lawmakers’ work to address equity in California’s civil justice system
The Civil Justice Association of California (CJAC) has released a new scorecard on legislators’ recent efforts to foster parity and balance in the state’s civil court procedures, by gauging how each one voted on bills involving liability and litigation. -
Website accessibility lawsuits account for large percentage of ADA claims
Even as serial ADA lawsuit claims have faced pushback, case numbers still are climbing, with an estimated 12 percent rise in 2022 compared to the year prior. -
With recession looming, California readies for cuts as deficit tops $20B
As California faces a projected $22.5 billion deficit, it’s raising questions about how Gov. Gavin Newsom and state leaders will help address new economic realities with cost reductions in the newly proposed budget. -
Union legislation raises concerns for California agricultural outlook
As new data points to increased interest in leaving California, the legal and legislative climate is cited by advocates in agriculture and other industries for which relocating may be less viable. -
California confronts budget concerns amid recession fears, tech sector disruptions
As more economic indicators suggest the U.S. economy faces a recession, questions persist about how California addresses a possible budget deficit with less tax revenue. -
Amid economic uncertainty, new California fiscal analysis describes potential budget shortfall
With a new report from the Legislative Analyst's Office (LAO) showing that California could face a deficit in the next year, and the state’s progressive tax system, it’s raising questions about what resources would be available for closing potential holes in the state budget. -
New alert helps distinguish California lawmakers casting pro-business votes in time of economic uncertainty
With recent state projections suggesting an economic slowdown and more legislation taking effect in January, a new alert provides statistics on how often California lawmakers voted in support of pro-business bills.