Even as drastic budget cuts hit across the agency, the Department of Housing and Urban Development is boosting investment in one area: housing assistance for former foster youth. What’s uncertain is how much that new funding could be offset by the broader cuts. HUD this month announced a $1.8 million investment in its Foster Youth...
Senate overturns California’s electric vehicle mandate
The Senate voted 51-44 to overturn California’s electric-vehicle mandate via the Congressional Review Act on Thursday, defying the Government Accountability Office and the Senate parliamentarian. Elizabeth MacDonough, the Senate’s parliamentarian, said the chamber could not use the Congressional Review Act (CRA) — a maneuver that permits a 50-vote threshold for overturning agency rules in the...
Senate Republicans plan to eliminate California phase out of gas cars
Republicans are planning to break decades of precedent and overrule the Senate parliamentarian to undo a Biden-era environmental policy. Majority Leader John Thune announced Tuesday morning that the Senate will take up the vote to overturn waivers the Environmental Protection Agency granted to California that allowed the state to phase out gas-powered cars. The Senate...
California lawmakers want to let citizens sue Elon Musk over DOGE cuts
A trio of freshmen House Democrats introduced a bill on Thursday that would allow individuals to sue the government — and even specific officials like Elon Musk — over decisions that block congressionally approved spending. California Reps. Sam Liccardo and Dave Min, along with Virginia Rep. Eugene Vindman, introduced the Protect Our Constitution and Communities...
California immigrant fast-food workers afraid to report work abuses
A report on fast-food workers shows immigrants are often too scared to report violations and are largely unaware of their rights. The California Fast Food Workers Union’s latest report done in collaboration with the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights documents worker experiences. The groups surveyed 405 workers at more than 200 fast-food locations throughout the...
‘It’s a stupid idea’: California lawmakers say about reopening Alcatraz
California lawmakers reacted to President Donald Trump’s suggestion that he would reopen Alcatraz with laughter, mockery and, for Democrats, indignation. “I won’t suggest who should go there first,” Rep. Sam Liccardo said. Trump posted on Sunday evening that he was ordering the refurbishment of Alcatraz, the island prison-turned historic landmark and tourist site off of...
Lawmakers eye federal fix for California’s slow vote counting
The final makeup of the 119th Congress was not settled until a month after the 2024 election as California worked to tabulate and certify its results. Representatives from both sides of the aisle say that was a problem, and some are pushing for Congress to intervene. “Everyone has experienced the heartache of seeing their candidate...
San Jose lawmaker withdraws bill to lower state rent caps
Politically-active landlords are coordinating a campaign to stop a proposal from California lawmakers to slash yearly rent control caps — and it appears to have worked. While Assemblymember Ash Kalra successfully advocated for his “Affordable Rent Act” proposal Thursday at the state Housing and Community Development Committee, further discussions with the Judiciary Committee led Kalra...
State senator pushes bill for San Jose State law school
A Silicon Valley politician wants to create California State University’s first public law school and is eyeing San Jose. State Sen. Dave Cortese’s Senate Bill 550 proposes establishing a law school at San Jose State University by integrating it with state-accredited, nonprofit Lincoln Law School of San Jose. If approved, it would be San Jose’s...
License to Kill
The California DMV routinely allows dangerous drivers with horrifying histories to continue to operate on our roadways. Too often they go on to kill. Many keep driving even after they kill. Some go on to kill again. By Robert Lewis, CalMatters This story was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters. Court research...