Rights and Liberties

CA Legislature may restore internet privacy rights rolled back by Washington

The California Legislature is considering effectively restoring internet privacy regulations in America’s largest state that were adopted for the entire nation under the Obama administration but were repealed in April. The measure by Assemblyman Ed Chau – Assembly Bill 375 –

New criminal justice reform focus: Harsh bail laws

Chris Reed February 9, 2017

The same coalition of Democratic lawmakers and interest groups that worked with Gov. Jerry Brown on Propositions 47 and 57 — which lessen the amount of time convicts must spend behind bars for relatively minor crimes and make it easier

Gun sales spike before California law hits

James Poulos December 30, 2016

Unwilling to be locked out of the gun cabinet by Sacramento Democrats, California residents have pushed gun purchases up to record numbers, leaving latecomers to the trend in the lurch. But as the state Legislature added fresh restrictions, developments

Bail reform tops criminal-justice efforts in next legislative session

Steven Greenhut November 15, 2016

California has long been known as a law-and-order state, particularly following the crime spikes of the 1980s. The state passed the toughest “three strikes” law in the nation and state officials from both parties often have argued over who would

Gov. Jerry Brown signs host of significant legislation

Steven Greenhut October 4, 2016

SACRAMENTO – The 2016 legislative season is officially over, with Gov. Jerry Brown having signed 900 bills while vetoing 159 by Friday’s deadline. Some of the recently signed bills are far-reaching and will have a noticeable effect on Californians’ lives. Here’s a

Mixed reviews for Gov. Brown on actor age database law

James Poulos September 30, 2016

Rarely the subject of entertainment industry buzz, Gov. Jerry Brown sparked outrage and confusion among First Amendment advocates by a new law intended to protect actors’ privacy online. “Actors who don’t want casting directors and fans knowing their age can conceal their birthday

‘Death with dignity’ law faces continued challenge

Chris Reed September 1, 2016

Gov. Jerry Brown’s decision to sign the End of Life Option Act on Oct. 5, 2015, triggered elation among the state groups which had fought for years to allow doctors to give people with terminal illnesses lethal doses of drugs

CA gun control repeal effort builds

James Poulos August 20, 2016

Gun rights groups have turned up the heat on Sacramento’s newest firearms restrictions, mounting an effort to repeal seven fresh laws through the ballot this election year. “The group ‘Veto Gunmageddon’ needs to collect 360,000 signatures for each measure

New analysis ranks California nearly last in liberty

Matt Fleming August 16, 2016

When it comes to liberty, California is one of the most restrictive states on its citizens, according to a new study. The Cato Institute, a libertarian think tank, in its “Freedom in the 50 States” report divided liberty into three categories: personal,

Civil libertarians and police embrace asset-forfeiture compromise

Steven Greenhut August 16, 2016

SACRAMENTO – The California Assembly on Monday approved one of the most significant civil-liberties reforms of the legislative session. Remarkably, the bill – to put limits on the controversial practice of civil asset forfeiture by police agencies – had no