Sacramento Snapshot: What Orange County legislators plan to address in 2026
We asked Orange County's delegations about their priorities this year — and Democrats and Republicans...
California Legislature
Delete Act: How to request personal information be purged in the New Year
California legislative analysts concluded that data brokers offer valuable services, but also threaten people's rights...
These new California laws will take effect in 2026
The new laws cover a range of topics, from antisemitism and AI to the Diwali...
State lives (and might die) on the $1 million-plus club and an aging tax system
Columnist Teri Sforza writes: Whatever you think of taxing the rich — and clearly, in...
New California law lets immigrant parents name a caretaker for their child if they’re separated
AB 495 will allow a caretaker to enroll a child in school and make certain...
Because of redistricting, Paula Swift is now running for a California Legislature seat
Swift is a longtime advocate for foster youth and domestic violence victims and said she...
Former Cypress Mayor Paulo Morales is the latest to jump into Assembly race
Morales has launched a 2026 bid for California's 67th Assembly District.
Republican Laura Bassett, interested in coastal issues, launches bid for state Senate seat
Bassett is vying for the 38th Senate District, represented now by Sen. Catherine Blakespear, a...
Sen. Tom Umberg is vying for Board of Equalization seat
Term limits prevents the Santa Ana Democrat from running for a spot in the California...
OC legislators weigh in on great Thanksgiving debate: What’s the best dish?
From green Jell-O in an heirloom dish to a family favorite lasagna with meatballs, we've...
California ensures undocumented residents access to phone service assistance. A US senator wants Trump administration to investigate
Updates to California Lifeline have gotten the attention of Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, who alleged...
Should you know if your doctor has substance issues?
Columnist Teri Sforza writes: The numbers for California physicians admitting they need help to fight...
How an Inland Empire state senator is fighting Trump’s immigration crackdown
Bills by Democrat Sabrina Cervantes and signed into law aim to help undocumented college students,...
Ethnic studies rollout moves forward in Orange County despite budget gaps
Schools are pressing ahead with ethnic studies courses, relying on one-time grants and district resources.
New California law requires some ultraprocessed foods to be removed from school lunches
The first-in-the-nation law requires the adoption of rules by mid-2028 defining “ultraprocessed foods of concern”...
Governor vetoes bill restricting use of license plate reader data
Riverside's state Sen. Sabrina Cervantes alleges her bill played a role in police wrongly citing...
Governor ends sunset clause for California’s medical-aid-in-dying law
Columnist Teri Sforza writes: The data is clear: The law has not been abused. If...
School spending surged. Academic achievement? Not so much
Columnist Teri Sforza writes: Student achievement is much more closely tied to something schools can't...
In California, paying someone to vote could result in a $10,000 fine or jail
Gov. Gavin Newsom signed two election-related bills into law in early October, criticizing the Trump...
OC legislators travel to Israel, experiencing faith, history and a bomb scare
On the last day of the trip, legislators experienced what Sen. Steven Choi called "one...
Childhood obesity, school meals and an enormous price tag
Columnist Teri Sforza writes: Childhood obesity is up just about everywhere, not only in California...
These are the wildfire-related bills the California Legislature OK’d this year
Lawmakers introduced dozens of wildfire-related bills this year. We highlight some the legislature recently passed.
8 bills the California Legislature approved this year, from de-masking ICE agents to AI safeguards
Only about a third of bills introduced this year were passed on to Gov. Gavin...
Sacramento Snapshot: Why a veterans bill divided senators before a key deadline
Several senators said they agreed with the overall premise of the bill but wanted more...
Midrise apartments could be built next to single-family homes if this bill becomes law
SB 79 applies only to certain "urban transit counties" with heavier or more frequent transit...
Could Orange County join a new state? That’s one Republican legislator’s proposal
Republican Assembly Leader James Gallagher is behind a long-shot effort to split California into two...
Sacramento Snapshot: Bills related to veterans, student protections and more are still in play this legislative year
Work in the California Legislature is nearing a close, and that means it's down to...
A look at the new plan to divide California into two states
Here's how secession would work
Addiction rehab reformers face headwinds as they await action on bills
Columnist Teri Sforza writes: Hats off to the legislators who keep trying, year after year...
Sacramento Snapshot: California Legislature considers another election reform measure — this one isn’t redistricting
The bill would allow voters to decide, in November 2026, whether to overturn or retain...
California Supreme Court again rejects Republicans’ efforts to stop mid-cycle redistricting
This is the second time in a week that the state's high court has rejected...
California legislator’s response to redistricting? Split the state in two
Throughout California's history, there have been at least 220 attempts or proposals to split up...
California Republicans mount another legal challenge to mid-cycle redistricting
A new petition filed Monday, Aug. 25, claims California's planned ballot measure would violate state...
Democrat Rick Foster launches bid for coastal state Senate seat
Sen. Tony Strickland, a Republican and former Huntington Beach Council member, won a special election...
With Gov. Newsom’s signature, California will have a redistricting special election in November
Texas Republicans, meanwhile, gave initial approval to their redistricting plan on Wednesday.
California Supreme Court rejects Republicans’ efforts to halt redistricting proposals
The court said the petitioners "failed to meet their burden of establishing a basis for...
Counties will be paid upfront for special redistricting election, California official says
Local elections officials had expressed concerns about the cost of implementing a last-minute special election.
California Legislature fast-tracks Gov. Newsom’s redistricting proposal
'Revenge politics' or 'protecting democracy?' The debate over mid-cycle redistricting hits the statehouse.
California Republicans say redistricting legislation needs more review time, ask state Supreme Court to intervene
State legislators are scheduled to hold floor votes on Thursday, according to a schedule from...
Sacramento Snapshot: The legislature is back in session. Here’s what we’re watching
For now, it's all about redistricting in the statehouse. But other important environmental and public...
California legislators discuss impacts of immigration on OC communities
Better data tracking and more funding for school districts were two proposals legislators discussed with...
California, will you really take away freedoms, too?
Columnist Teri Sforza writes: The law is about people who are already staring death in...
AT&T, ordered to keep providing land-line service, takes fight to California legislature
Latest bid by company includes mandate to expand broadband coverage.
Families, schools brace as charter oversight bill advances amid ongoing talks
A proposal to overhaul charter school rules is moving forward in the California Legislature, but...
2 e-bike safety bills get Gov. Newsom’s signature
Orange County legislators have championed multiple e-bike safety issues in recent years.
Tanya Cook, a Garden Grove business owner, enters the 70th Assembly District race
Her platform includes immigration policy and pathways to citizenship, health care and reproductive rights, and...
Sick of loud ads on Netflix? A proposed California law would turn down the volume
"This is the most popular bill I've introduced this year," Sen. Tom Umberg said of...