CARE Courts, California’s new initiative to compel treatment for some of the state’s most severely mentally ill residents, is rolling out to all 58 counties this month. But officials in counties that have already launched the program said the low number of cases reflects the amount of time it takes — sometimes weeks or months — to find people and persuade them to enroll.
StateWatch
Posted inPolitics & Policy
California’s budget is ‘roughly balanced,’ but growing deficits expected
The nonpartisan Legislative Analyst’s Office projects a $2 billion shortfall for 2025-26, but says the state can’t afford big new programs. Gov. Gavin Newsom has complained about attention on the office’s deficit estimates.
Posted inHousing & Development
How a Trump administration could affect California’s housing crisis
President-elect Donald Trump’s housing policy for his second term is vague at best. But based on available information, many California housing experts are not optimistic about what it could mean for the state’s crisis.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
One issue Trump and Newsom agree on? California homelessness
Experts predict funding cuts and policy changes in Donald Trump’s second administration. But Trump and California Gov. Gavin Newsom appear to agree on encampment sweeps.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
The California Legislature set a record for women in office and could see historic gender parity
California’s Senate will reach gender parity, but depending on the outcome of some close contests, that could extend to the whole Legislature.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Newsom calls special session to ‘Trump-proof’ California
Gov. Gavin Newsom wants the new Legislature to “protect” California from Donald Trump on civil rights, reproductive freedom, climate action, and immigrant families. The session will start Dec. 2.
Posted inLatest News
California beat Trump in court his first term. It’s preparing new cases for his second
California sued the Trump administration more than 100 times in his first term and secured some major victories on the environment, immigration and health care.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Don’t expect Kamala Harris’ loss to boost Gavin Newsom’s presidential prospects
California’s governor faces a lot of obstacles to a plausible run for president in 2028, even if he does help lead the resistance to Donald Trump.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Adam Schiff easily wins U.S. Senate seat in deep-blue California
The Burbank Democrat will take the U.S. Senate seat held by Dianne Feinstein for 30 years. No Republican has won statewide in California since 2006, and Steve Garvey didn’t break that losing streak.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
California’s path hinges on the presidential race: ‘No state has more to lose or gain’
State officials, business leaders and immigrant advocates are all preparing for whoever wins the presidential election. California’s response will be very different, depending on whether it’s Kamala Harris or Donald Trump.