State Sen. John Laird is advancing a bill aimed at easing the financial burden of sexual abuse lawsuits on public institutions, while adjusting legal standards for older claims — an effort to balance justice for survivors with the stability of local budgets.
Local legislators update spring 2025
Coverage of what legislators representing Santa Cruz County in Sacramento have been working on during the 2025-26 session.
Addis’ ambitious bill would force oil companies to pay for historic, and future, climate damage
After a tenure marked by climate disasters, Assemblymember Dawn Addis is pushing bold environmental legislation — including a revived “Polluters Pay” bill that would charge oil companies for climate damages — as California seeks new ways to fund its climate resilience.

