It’s going to take a minute to sift by way of the avalanche of lawmaking within the lengthy, last days of the Legislature.
And it isn’t over fairly but: Gov. Gavin Newsom referred to as lawmakers again for a particular session centered on fuel costs, despite the fact that the state Senate isn’t taking part in alongside. As CalMatters Capitol reporters Sameea Kamal and Alexei Koseff clarify, Senate chief Mike McGuire says he gained’t convene the session, however is working with Newsom and Meeting Speaker Robert Rivas on the problem. Rivas, nevertheless, is totally on board. He informed reporters he expects hearings to start subsequent week.
Lawmakers voted proper as much as the stroke of midnight Saturday (the Meeting ran out of time on just a few payments) and adjourned after closing remarks, ending their common session that began in early January. However earlier than wrapping up, some main laws went to Newsom, different proposals fell by the wayside and a few frequent threads emerged:
Democrats strike again: Democrats within the Legislature handed payments to close down revolts in some conservative enclaves, Alexei reviews. They embrace payments to block a voter ID requirement in Huntington Seaside and one other to ban library e book committees from blocking supplies based mostly on race or sexuality.
Reparations drama: Two key payments to deal with centuries of discrimination towards Black Californians stalled within the last hourswrite CalMatters’ Wendy FryAlexei and Sameea. One invoice would have established a brand new state company to assist Black residents affirm their eligibility for reparations funds, whereas the opposite would have created a fund for reparation insurance policies. A number of different reparations payments did make it to the governor’s desk.
Essayli shut down: First-term Republican Assemblymember Invoice Essayli has been a thorn within the facet of Democrats. Within the last hours, Democratic leaders lastly had sufficient, refusing to let him communicate as he repeatedly objected to debate getting lower off at 30 seconds so they may get to as many payments as attainable. Essayli shouted and banged on his desk earlier than leaving the chamber. He later complained that he was silenced by an “enemy of democracy.” Meeting GOP chief James Gallagher additionally accused Democrats of abusing their energy.
Combined bag for power, environmental rules: A final-minute invoice to present households a one-time rebate on their electrical payments is uselesswrites CalMatters local weather reporter Alejandro Lazo. Lawmakers additionally delayed for one more three years a 2022 regulation that requires oil corporations to observe oil operations, explains CalMatters environmental reporter Julie Cart. And a invoice earlier than Newsom would dramatically enhance fines for water rights scofflawswrites CalMatters water reporter Rachel Becker.
Cash for housing: CalMatters housing reporter Ben Christopher examines a invoice that will assure $500 million yearly for inexpensive housing building. The invoice would additionally require builders to pay employees union-level wages, which critics argue would result in fewer inexpensive models being constructed.
On Newsom’s desk: The governor has to determine the destiny of a whole lot of payments by Sept. 30. CalMatters is monitoring noteworthy ones on practically 30 points. The newest embrace:
