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CA Democrats nearly double state Republicans

California Republicans hit a new low in statewide registration relative to Democrats, whose ranks have surged in the Golden State despite a sour public mood and a less charismatic presidential nominee than in recent election cycles. “The California Democratic Party added

Court ruling opens avenue for pension reform

Steven Greenhut August 30, 2016

SACRAMENTO – An Aug. 17 California appeals court ruling rejected a public employee union’s claim that its members had a right to “pension spiking,” which the court described as “various stratagems and ploys to inflate their income and retirement benefits.”

Farm worker OT bill passes over objections about rule violations

Matt Fleming August 29, 2016

A bill expanding overtime pay for farm workers passed the Assembly on Monday and now heads to the governor for a final verdict. The bill would, over the course of a few years, bring the overtime structure for farm workers in

CA Supreme Court shuts down lawsuit against teachers union job protections

James Poulos August 29, 2016

Declining to hear an appeal, the California Supreme Court brought an apparent end to the saga of California’s historic lawsuit against teachers union job protections, alleged to violate students’ constitutional rights. A majority of justices “declined to hear the case, Vergara v. California, and

Ferret ban in California not gone just yet

Matt Fleming August 25, 2016

Bad news for ferret lovers: Your pet is still illegal in California. But change may be coming. On Thursday, the California Fish and Game Commission continued reconsideration of the ban on domestic ferrets that’s been in place since 1933 until its

Assembly approves bill establishing state-run retirement accounts for all

Matt Fleming August 25, 2016

A savings-for-all plan passed the Assembly on Thursday that, if signed into law, will automatically enroll many employees into a state-run individual retirement system. Secure Choice, if implemented, would require employers of five or more people to automatically enroll employees

Assembly OKs CARB accountability measure, climate agenda headed to governor

Matt Fleming August 24, 2016

Lawmakers on Wednesday sent a measure to Gov. Jerry Brown creating legislative oversight of the California Air Resources Board — a vital piece in the state’s climate agenda. Assembly Bill 197’s companion legislation, SB32, which expands CARB’s authority to create and

Climate policy expansion clears biggest legislative hurdle

Matt Fleming August 23, 2016

An extension and expansion of one of the state’s landmark environmental laws cleared the Assembly on Tuesday — all but guaranteeing the bill’s ultimate passage. Senate Bill 32 would require the Air Resources Board to ensure that greenhouse gas emissions in

Insurance rate rollback sets regulatory precedent

Steven Greenhut August 23, 2016

SACRAMENTO – A spat between the California Department of Insurance and the advocacy group Consumer Watchdog over a recent news release left Sacramento insiders scrambling to understand the policy implications of a public dispute between the two organizations. “Yesterday, Consumer

Farmworker overtime passes easy test in Senate, faces challenge in Assembly

Matt Fleming August 22, 2016

As expected, a bill expanding overtime pay for farmworkers passed the Senate on Monday along party lines. It moves to the Assembly next, where it died earlier this year. While farmworkers do get overtime, there is a much higher threshold than