Latest California state government News

What makes people happy? California lawmakers want to find out

Mar. 16, 2024 13:11 PM EDT

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California Assemblyman Anthony Rendon likes to spend his spare time away from the Capitol in Sacramento with his 4-year-old daughter back home near Los Angeles. Last weekend, he took her ice skating and to an indoor playground, then let her get a donut after she agreed...

DeSantis orders Florida resources to stop Haitian migrants despite no sign of increased activity

Mar. 13, 2024 17:16 PM EDT

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis, anticipating what his office called the “possibility for invasion," ordered more than 250 law enforcement officers and soldiers to the Florida Keys on Wednesday to stop Haitian migrants fleeing violence — or nearly two people deployed for...

Democrat Min to face Republican Baugh in California's competitive 47th Congressional District

Mar. 07, 2024 21:03 PM EST

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Democratic state Sen. Dave Min and Republican Scott Baugh will face off this November in California's competitive 47th Congressional District. The coastal Orange County district, which includes famous surf breaks in Huntington Beach and Laguna Beach, is...

Democrat Adam Schiff and Republican Steve Garvey set to compete for California Senate seat

Mar. 06, 2024 01:33 AM EST

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Republican former baseball star Steve Garvey and Democratic Rep. Adam Schiff will compete in November for the U.S. Senate seat long held by the late Dianne Feinstein. It’s a rare opportunity for the GOP to compete in a marquee statewide race in this Democratic...

San Francisco apologizes to Black residents for decades of racist policies

Feb. 27, 2024 20:16 PM EST

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Supervisors in San Francisco formally apologized Tuesday to African Americans and their descendants for the city’s role in perpetuating racism and discrimination, with several stating that this was just the start of reparations for Black residents and not the end. ...

California governor launches ads to fight abortion travel bans

Feb. 25, 2024 16:37 PM EST

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Sunday announced an advertising campaign to combat proposals in several Republican-controlled states to prohibit out-of-state travel for abortions and other reproductive care. The multistate ad campaign and an online...

California bill would ban all plastic shopping bags at grocery stores

Feb. 08, 2024 18:48 PM EST

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California would ban all plastic shopping bags in 2026 under a new bill announced Thursday in the state Legislature. California already bans thin plastic shopping bags at grocery stores and other shops, but shoppers at checkout can purchase bags made with...

The IRS is launching a direct file pilot program for the 2024 tax season — here is how it will work

Jan. 29, 2024 13:55 PM EST

WASHINGTON (AP) — As income tax filing season officially starts on Monday, a limited number of taxpayers in 12 states will soon be eligible to join an IRS pilot program that will allow them to calculate and submit their returns to the government directly without using commercial tax preparation...

Delaware judge limits scope of sweeping climate change lawsuit against fossil fuel companies

Jan. 10, 2024 19:04 PM EST

DOVER, Del. (AP) — A judge has rejected several claims lodged by Delaware’s attorney general in a lawsuit alleging that the fossil fuel industry has downplayed the risks of climate change. Tuesday’s ruling significantly narrows the scope of the suit seeking to hold the industry liable for the...

Jewish protesters calling for cease-fire in Gaza disrupt first day of California legislative session

Jan. 04, 2024 12:41 PM EST

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Hundreds of protesters calling for a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war interrupted the first day of California's legislative session on Wednesday, forcing the state Assembly to adjourn moments after convening. Lawmakers had just listened to the opening...