In the California Capitol, lawmakers almost never vote “no.” These three Democrats have decided it’s OK to buck protocol and vote against their colleagues’ bills. Check CalMatters’ database to see how Santa Cruz County’s representatives voted.
StateWatch
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Newsom just vetoed a bill to regulate license plate readers — even as fresh evidence of misuse emerges
Gov. Gavin Newsom vetoed a bill that would have required regular purges of license plate databases and regularly audited how automated plate readers are used. He said the regulations would have impeded criminal investigations.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
The campaign over Gavin Newsom’s maps is one of California’s most expensive ever
Gov. Gavin Newsom is raising money from labor unions and Democrats all over the country for Proposition 50, his redistricting ballot measure. Republicans are pouring in money to fight it.
Posted inHousing & Development
Why figuring out how many homes California needs is more art than science
56,000. 2.7 million. 840,000. Why is one of California’s most pressing policy problems so hard to measure?
Posted inEducation
Does another education bond stand a chance with voters? California colleges hope so
Lawmakers are considering putting a bond measure before voters in 2026 to fund billions of dollars in building repairs and student housing projects for California’s colleges and universities.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Ricardo Lara proposes insurance rule that critics call ‘revenge’
California’s insurance commissioner has sparred with Consumer Watchdog, which says a proposed rule Ricardo Lara says will make the rate-review process more efficient is retaliatory.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
California law forbids ICE from making arrests at courthouses. Officers are showing up anyway
A California law bans immigration enforcement at courthouses. ICE under the Trump administration is detaining people there, anyway, arguing that it’s a safe place to apprehend someone.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
These rural Californians want to secede. Newsom’s maps would pair them with Bay Area liberals
California Democrats’ redistricting plan would split the state’s traditional Republican stronghold into a sprawling coastal district with Bay Area liberals. North State conservatives say it would silence rural voices.
Posted inHousing & Development
Breakthrough on California housing could put taller buildings in single-family neighborhoods
A powerful California construction union is no longer fighting a bill that would ease barriers to the construction of tall apartment buildings near train and bus stations.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
How focused is Gavin Newsom on his job? His official schedule remains a mystery
As Gov. Gavin Newsom turns his attention to national politics, it’s difficult to evaluate what effect his extracurricular activities have had on his work, because the governor’s office has not made his full schedule available all year.