CalMatters

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.

After months of negotiations, university officials offer a 5% pay raise. The union is seeking 12% and plans to strike at the end of January.

As the state Legislature reconvenes, the Israel-Hamas war and the Gaza humanitarian crisis remain on the agenda. Assembly Republicans introduce a resolution condemning Hamas, while Gov. Newsom has met with Palestinian groups.

Surprise ambulance bills can leave families deeply in debt after a medical emergency. A new state law that forces insurance companies to negotiate payments is expected to save Californians tens of millions of dollars a year.

Under a new state law, emergency notifications by law enforcement will be expanded to include “Ebony Alerts” for missing Black children and youths. Studies show African Americans are disproportionately on lists of the missing.

Fentanyl is driving California’s deadly overdose crisis. A new law that took effect Jan. 1 targets dealers by increasing criminal penalties for trafficking the drug.