Sarah Downey News
New CA school curriculum law faces constitutional hurdles, runs over local community control of what is taught in schools
A new law that gives more state power over what is taught in schools is raising questions over whether the state isn't just running roughshod over local school boards because the state doesn't like local school curriculum decisions.
Newsom vetoes bill that would have paid striking workers amid rising unemployment debt
Business groups warned the legislation would have only worsened strikes, by making strikes far less painful for unions, while at the same time further draining the state's unemployment funds.
Newsom, California Dems ask state high court to block voters from reining in their ability to raise taxes
As Californians face more tax increases, a new ballot measure that would allow residents to have a say in the process is being challenged by government leaders in a petition to the state Supreme Court.
Newsom vetoes bill that would have opened new litigation floodgate against businesses
A bill that would have granted expansive liability to sue California employers has been rejected in a veto by Gov. Gavin Newsom, but not without a concentrated business coalition effort that questioned how a bill with such sweeping language could even make it to the governor’s desk.
National clothing store sues San Francisco mall owners over unchecked retail theft, criminal activity
With organized retail crime on the rise in San Francisco, retailer American Eagle has filed suit against mall operator Westfield, on grounds that persistent unchecked criminal activity has violated the terms of its lease.
New metropolitan growth index ranks several California cities near the bottom
As rising costs and crime add to challenges in cities across the country, a new index analyses which metro areas are making living more manageable and which are suppressing growth with heavy taxes and regulations.
As cities defy state housing laws, L.A. court decision clarifies when builder’s remedy applies
Amid a host of new court filings involving builder’s remedy, it’s raising questions about the impact that provision will have on California’s historic housing shortage and how it could affect production numbers here in the coming months.
Last-minute budget bill gives state preemptive strike before voters decide on Nov. ’24 fast food ballot question
A late addition to the budget could stop a hard-fought opportunity for voters to have their say on a November 2024 ballot measure about the future of fast food in California.
California Supreme Court rule to report attorney misconduct takes effect, to avoid repeat of Girardi debacle
A new rule from the California Supreme Court requires increased oversight among attorneys, a mandate long present in other states, and now here following high profile cases of wrongdoing including now disbarred attorney Thomas Girardi.
CA Supreme Court ruling against liability expansion in “take-home” Covid cases a big win for CA employers
The California Supreme Court has ruled employers cannot be held liable in court if a worker passes COVID-19 to a member of their household, helping answer questions that arose at the outset of the pandemic, including what is the scope of responsibility for a company to stop a highly contagious virus from spreading.
CA Supreme Court agrees to review if courts can demolish UC Berkeley student housing plans over 'noise'
Attorneys hopeful state high court will recognize the legal and societal implications of an appellate ruling expanding interpretation of CEQA to allow lawsuit to stop UC's housing plan over environmental concerns related to "noisy" students
Bill to scale back California’s oil imports and improve local production unanimously passes state Senate, now goes before Assembly Appropriations
As the California Legislature continues its work to balance energy and environmental concerns, a new bill to make it easier to produce fuel products here, reducing reliance on oil from countries that don’t share the same values, has received unanimous bipartisan support
Lawmakers, worker advocates line up to defend independent contractors vs efforts to take California-style restrictions national
The U.S. Department of Labor under President Biden is preparing to seek to impose rules nationwide to limit the ability of people to work as independent contractors, mirroring and expanding rules imposed by California through legislation like AB5.
California prepares for cuts as new budget deficit tops $30 billion
With the June budget deadline fast approaching, the state needs to fill a $32 billion deficit but precisely what is going to be cut remains to be seen.
New bill that would make it harder to advance voter referendums runs counter to California's democracy, critics say
With proposed state legislation nearing a crucial June deadline, another bill to change the system of direct democracy in California remains under discussion in Sacramento
Lawmakers, nonprofit groups work to increase fentanyl penalties as deaths rise
With overdose deaths increasing exponentially in the first months of 2023 – up 40 percent compared to last year – residents are urging state lawmakers to act quickly to address the problem, with Gov. Gavin Newsom bringing a contingent of the National Guard to parts of San Francisco.
California pork law to boost meat prices, could set off interstate trade wars
With the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent decision to uphold a California law that requires different restrictions in pork processing, it’s raising questions about how it aligns with the federal Commerce Clause that prevents a single state from unduly burdening how others do business.
Record rains heighten push to speed up work on California's long-approved water storage plans
Amid the impact of recent heavy rains and fire season fast approaching, questions persist about where things stand with water storage projects and why the state still hasn’t completed new ones with funding approved by voters almost a decade ago.
Divergent court rulings issued in app-based driver cases as California Supreme Court prepares to hear separate challenge next month
With the recent federal court decision in Lawson v. Grubhub, which found an app-based driver had prevailed on claims of employee status under state wage law, it’s raising questions about the potential impact for others working in app-based services.
Reliability, affordability still unknown in new government rules requiring switch to electric trucks, cars
With new state rules on truck emissions recently approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, concerns persist about the feasibility of such programs for residents and businesses, as well as grid reliability.