CalMatters

As rooftop solar projects have plummeted, about 17,000 workers could lose their jobs. Will this derail the state’s climate and clean energy goals?

The proposal would have meant challenging a federal law that bars employers from hiring undocumented immigrants. Advocates requesting the change argue that the University of California, as a state agency, is exempt from that law.

More than two years until the first votes are cast, Senate leader Toni Atkins becomes the fourth big-name Democrat to jump into the governor’s race. She is seeking to become the first female and openly gay chief executive.

The California Department of Public Health no longer requires Californians with COVID-19 to have to isolate if they no longer have symptoms.

Last year the governor proposed asking community colleges to return their COVID relief money. Although that idea was dropped, college officials fear committing dollars that may be taken away.

The five major contenders have different track records and proposals on some of the biggest issues facing California. They’re trying to position themselves to appeal to sizable voting blocs before the March 5 primary.

The Assembly has until the end of January to decide the fate of the youth tackle football bill, which would prevent kids under 12 from playing the sport to protect them from brain trauma.

The nonpartisan Legislative Analyst’s Office says that Gov. Gavin Newsom’s initial 2024-25 budget is “optimistic” on revenue and has strengths and weaknesses on spending. The LAO offers guidance to state lawmakers on their version.

The U.S. Supreme Court agreed to hear a case that has implications for how much power California officials have over homeless camps. It will rule on current precedent later this year.

About 500,000 California health care workers were expected to see pay increases under a law that set a new minimum wage for their industry. Gov. Gavin Newsom wants to delay the pay bumps until the state budget has a stronger outlook.

Federal and California officials say the company illegally installed devices on about 1 million pickup trucks. Cummins will pay $2 billion in civil fines and funds for pollution control projects.

Gov. Newsom says the deficit is far smaller than what the Legislature’s analysts projected, and proposes only $8.5 billion in cuts by delaying spending and taking $13 billion from the state’s main reserves.