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2 weeks ago | 
latimes.com | Sandra McDonald
Latino legislators criticized Gov. Gavin Newsom’s proposed budget cuts to Medi-Cal Monday afternoon, saying the plan to freeze enrollment and charge premiums for those adult immigrants without documentation already enrolled was a betrayal of California’s promise to protect the vulnerable. Legislative pushback for the May budget revision, released by Newsom last week, comes after the governor announced an additional $12-billion budget shortfall for the upcoming fiscal year.
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3 weeks ago | 
latimes.com | Sandra McDonald
The state Assembly on Thursday unanimously passed legislation to strengthen criminal penalties for soliciting 16- and -17-year-olds for sex, a crime measure that set off weeks of political turbulence at the state Capitol. The original author of the bill, Assemblymember Maggy Krell (D-Sacramento), said she wanted to target demand by cracking down on perpetrators as well as increasing protections for victims.
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3 weeks ago | 
latimes.com | Sandra McDonald
Gov. Gavin Newsom on Wednesday threw his support behind two bills that would streamline housing development in urban areas, saying it was “time to get serious” about cutting red tape to address the housing crisis. Newsom said his revised state budget proposal, which he announced at a news conference Wednesday, also will include provisions that clear the way for more new housing by reforming the state’s landmark California Environmental Quality Act and clearing other impediments.
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3 weeks ago | 
latimes.com | Sandra McDonald |Seema Mehta
In the largest gathering of 2026 gubernatorial candidates to date, seven Democrats vying to lead California courted labor leaders on Monday, vowing to support pro-union agreements on housing and infrastructure projects, regulation of artificial intelligence, and government funding for university research.
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4 weeks ago | 
americanmilitarynews.com | Sandra McDonald
California hit a new tourism record in 2024, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Monday, but the high isn’t expected to last thanks to President Trump’s tariffs. Tourism spending last year hit $157.3 billion, up 3% from 2023, and created 24,000 jobs, according to a 2024 economic impact report from Visit California, the state’s nonprofit marketing agency.
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1 month ago | 
thederrick.com | Sandra McDonald
After voters in November sent a clear message that the rising cost of living remained a top concern, California lawmakers came to the state Capitol vowing to take decisive action. "Our task this session is urgent and clear," Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas (D-Hollister) told lawmakers at the start of the 2024-2025 legislative session in early December. "We must chart a new path forward.
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1 month ago | 
dailygazette.com | Sandra McDonald
After voters in November sent a clear message that the rising cost of living remained a top concern, California lawmakers came to the state Capitol vowing to take decisive action. "Our task this session is urgent and clear," Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas (D-Hollister) told lawmakers at the start of the 2024-2025 legislative session in early December. "We must chart a new path forward. And it begins by focusing on affordability."kAms6DA:E6 AC@A@D65 =68:D=2E:@?
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1 month ago | 
yahoo.com | Sandra McDonald
After voters in November sent a clear message that the rising cost of living remained a top concern, California lawmakers came to the Capitol vowing to take decisive action. "Our task this session is urgent and clear," Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas (D-Hollister) told lawmakers at the start of the 2024-2025 legislative session in early December. "We must chart a new path forward.
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1 month ago | 
pressdemocrat.com | Sandra McDonald
Assembly Democrats walked back opposition to a controversial bill that would increase the penalty for soliciting a minor aged 16 or 17, a change that comes after they faced a barrage of criticism from Republicans and a rebuke from Gov. Gavin Newsom. The new amendments to the legislation, AB 379, would allow prosecutors to file felony charges against adults who solicit sex from a 16- or 17-year-old. If the accused is three years older than the minor, they can be charged with a felony.
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1 month ago | 
gazettextra.com | Sandra McDonald
SACRAMENTO, Calif. - California Assembly Democrats walked back opposition to a controversial bill that would increase the penalty for soliciting a minor aged 16 or 17, a change that comes after they faced a barrage of criticism from Republicans and a rebuke from Gov. Gavin Newsom. The new amendments to the legislation, AB 379, would allow prosecutors to file felony charges against adults who solicit sex from a 16- or 17-year-old.
