All articles tagged with #california legislature
California's legislative session concluded with significant Democratic wins on climate, housing, and labor, despite last-minute deals and frustrations over process and unresolved issues like property tax caps and environmental reviews. Key measures include climate and energy policies, housing near transit, union rights for gig workers, and funding for local news, with ongoing debates on antisemitism and AI oversight.
California Governor Gavin Newsom successfully pushed through major housing reforms by leveraging the state budget process to bypass legislative opposition, including significant exemptions to environmental review laws (CEQA), aiming to accelerate urban housing construction amid political and environmental challenges.
California Governor Gavin Newsom has called a special legislative session for December 2, 2024, to prepare legal defenses against President-elect Donald Trump's policies. Newsom aims to counter Trump's actions on issues like abortion, immigration, and disaster aid, continuing California's role as a stronghold of resistance against Trump's administration. The session will focus on authorizing more funding for legal challenges and state agencies, with legislative leaders supporting Newsom's initiative to defend California's values.
California Governor Gavin Newsom vetoed a bill that would have required human safety drivers in heavy-duty autonomous trucks for the next five years, citing the existing regulatory framework as sufficient. The bill, sponsored by the Teamsters union and supported by highway safety advocates, faced opposition from driverless technology companies and business groups. The decision now rests with the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to determine when self-driving trucks can operate without human drivers. Dissatisfaction with the DMV's regulation of autonomous vehicles was a key factor in the debate, with concerns raised about lax enforcement and public safety. Newsom expressed confidence in the DMV's ability to handle the issue.
The California Legislature has passed a bill that would ban four food additives, including red dye No. 3, potassium bromate, brominated vegetable oil, and propylparaben, starting in 2027. If signed by Governor Gavin Newsom, it would be the first time a state has banned food additives permitted by the FDA. The additives have been linked to potential health issues and are already illegal in the EU and other countries. The bill aims to make the food supply safer and give parents more confidence in the products they buy. Large manufacturers are expected to remove the banned additives from their products nationwide.