ADAM BEAM

Adam covers California government and politics.

Law limiting new oil wells in California set to take effect after industry withdraws referendum

A California law that bans drilling new oil wells near places like homes and schools will likely take effect in the coming days.

California Legislature approves budget that slashes spending to address $46.8 billion deficit

California lawmakers have approved a budget that slashes spending and temporarily raises taxes on businesses.

California governor defends progressive values, says they’re an ‘antidote’ to populism on the right

California Gov. Gavin Newsom has used his State of the State address to defend California’s progressive values ahead of a pivotal presidential debate.

California lawmakers abandon attempt to repeal law requiring voter approval for some public housing

California lawmakers have abandoned their attempt to repeal the nation’s only law requiring voter approval for publicly funded affordable housing projects.

California Democrats agree to delay health care worker minimum wage increase to help balance budget

Democrats in California have agreed to delay a minimum wage increase for about 426,000 health care workers to help balance the budget.

California county that tried to hand-count ballots picks novice to replace retiring elections chief

The leaders of a conservative California county that tried to hand-count ballots in response to unfounded claims of fraud have hired a new registrar of voters with no experience running elections.

California voters lose a shot at checking state and local tax hikes at the polls

The California Supreme Court has removed a measure from the state’s November ballot that would have made it harder to raise taxes. Gov.

California Legislature rejects many of Gov. Gavin Newsom’s budget cuts as negotiations continue

The California Legislature has passed its own version of a state spending plan that rejects many of Gov. Gavin Newsom’s budget cuts.

With 1 out of 3 Californians on Medicaid, doctors push ballot measure to force state to pay more

California Gov. Gavin Newsom wants to back out of a deal he made last year to pay doctors more money to treat Medicaid patients.

California governor criticized for proposal to eliminate health benefit for some disabled immigrants

California Gov. Gavin Newsom is facing criticism for his proposal to eliminate an optional Medicaid benefit for some disabled immigrants.

Arizona doctors can come to California to perform abortions under new law signed by Gov. Newsom

Arizona doctors can temporarily come to California to perform abortions for their patients under a new law signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom.

New cars in California could alert drivers for breaking the speed limit

A bill before California lawmakers would require new cars sold in the state in coming years to beep a warning whenever drivers exceed the speed limit by at least 10 mph.

Teachers criticize Newsom’s budget proposal, say it would ‘wreak havoc on funding for our schools’

California’s largest teachers union is turning up the pressure on Gov. Gavin Newsom. The California Teachers Association on Friday said it will work to block one of Newsom’s proposals for balancing the budget.

California’s water tunnel to cost $20 billion. State officials say the benefits are worth it

California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s administration says it will cost more than $20 billion to build a giant tunnel to capture and store more water.

Gov. Gavin Newsom proposes painful cuts to close California’s growing budget deficit

California Gov. Gavin Newsom has proposed a series of painful budget cuts to close the state’s growing deficit. Newsom said Friday the state’s deficit is $27.6 billion.

As electricity demand increases, California regulators OK change to how power bills are calculated

California regulators have voted to change how some power companies calculate their customers’ bills.

California’s population grew in 2023, halting 3 years of decline, state estimates

California’s population increased in 2023 for the first time in three years. The California Department of Finance released a population estimate on Tuesday showing the state gained just over 67,000 people in 2023 for a total population of more than 39.1 million.

California is joining with a New Jersey company to make a generic opioid overdose reversal drug

California is partnering with a New Jersey-based pharmaceutical company to purchase a generic version of Narcan.

A California bill aiming to ban confidentiality agreements when negotiating legislation fails

A bill to ban the use of confidentiality agreements when negotiating potential laws in California has failed to pass.

New California rule aims to limit health care cost increases to 3% annually

A new rule in California aims to limit health care price increases to just 3% each year. The Health Care Affordability Board approved the rule on Wednesday.

California reject bill to crackdown on how utilities spend customers’ money

A crackdown on how California utilities spend customers’ money has failed to pass the state Legislature.

Faced with possibly paying for news, Google removes links to California news sites for some users

Google is removing California news websites from some users’ search results. The move is widely seen as a protest over pending legislation requiring the search giant and other tech companies to pay news organizations for linking to their content.

California lawmakers vote to reduce deficit by $17 billion, but harder choices lie ahead

California lawmakers have voted to reduce the size of the state’s deficit. The state Legislature on Thursday approved legislation that takes a number of steps to reduce the deficit by about $17 billion.

California schools forced to compete with fast food industry for workers after minimum wage hike

California school districts are preparing for the impacts of a new minimum wage for fast food workers.

New $20 minimum wage for fast food workers in California is set to start Monday

Most of California’s fast food workers are set to be paid at least $20 per hour. A new law mandating the minimum wage increase for fast food workers is scheduled to take effect on Monday.

California supervisor who tried to get rid of Shasta County vote-counting machines survives recall

A local official in a rural Northern California county has survived a recall effort. Kevin Crye was facing a recall attempt after voting to get rid of the county’s vote-counting machines last year.

California proposal would change how power bills are calculated, aiming to relieve summer spikes

A new proposal from California regulators would change how power companies calculate their customer’s bills.

California doubles water allocation for most contractors following February storms

State officials have doubled the amount of water California agencies will get this year. The State Water Project is a major source for 29 water contractors that serve 27 million people.

California’s unemployment rate is the highest in the nation. Slower job growth is to blame

California’s unemployment rate is now the highest in the country. The state’s unemployment rate was 5.3% in February. That’s higher than Nevada’s 5.2% rate.

FAFSA delays prompt California lawmakers to extend deadline for student financial aid applications

The California Legislature has voted to give prospective college students more time to apply for financial aid.

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