Newsom launches podcast, not presidential run, with Marshawn Lynch
Gov. Gavin Newsom knows the value of connecting with celebrities. And of connecting with the wealthy. Now he’s banking on an alliance with “Beast Mode.”…
Biden’s debate performance pushes Dems to consider casting him aside
WASHINGTON — President Biden woke up Friday to a torrent of liberal columnists, Democratic operatives and his favorite television host questioning whether he should drop out…
Column: Why Newsom might not be cut out for Washington
SACRAMENTO — Sorry, governor, that wasn’t very presidential. It would never fly in the nation’s capital. A president couldn’t get away with delivering a State of…
Adam Carolla says he’s leaving the Golden State for good
Comedian Adam Corolla says he is leaving the Golden State, lobbing plenty of criticism for government leadership and ordinary Californians in his potential wake. “I…
Newsom attacks ‘poisonous populism of the right’ in speech
SACRAMENTO — Gov. Gavin Newsom took on California’s critics and lauded the state’s economic prowess and inclusive values in an unorthodox State of the State speech…
Can California control its boom-and-bust budget?
California has until Saturday to balance a budget that is billions of dollars out of whack, and not in a good way. Ambitious, worthy programs…
A year after Newsom called for constitutional amendment on gun safety, no other states have joined him
SACRAMENTO — On NBC’s “Today” show last June, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced a proposal that seemed politically impossible from the start: Convincing two-thirds of state legislatures…
With deadline nearing, Newsom and lawmakers disagree over solutions to California budget crisis
SACRAMENTO — With a deadline looming, Gov. Gavin Newsom and Democrats in the state Legislature are working to settle their differences over access to public…
California Assembly passes bill allowing cannabis cafes
A bill that would allow Amsterdam-style cannabis cafes in California passed the state Assembly Monday afternoon on a 49-4 vote and is headed to the…
California teachers criticize Newsom’s budget proposal
SACRAMENTO — California’s largest teachers union on Friday turned up the pressure on Gov. Gavin Newsom, announcing a public campaign aimed at blocking part of his…
Bill to regulate psychedelics fails in California Legislature
SACRAMENTO — Another attempt to make psychedelics legal in California has, once again, failed. Senate Bill 1012 by Sen. Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) was the latest…
Gov. Gavin Newsom is speaking at the Vatican at a climate conference
ROME — Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom’s speech on climate change at the Vatican this week gives him an opportunity to align himself and his party with…
Column: California budget relies on rich taxpayers. We pay the price
SACRAMENTO — Borrowing an old bromide, when the stock market sneezes, California’s state government catches pneumonia. It’s more than a common cold when the state coughs…
Newsom’s Proposition 1 passes in California’s primary election
The close contest over Gov. Gavin Newsom’s $6.4-billion bond measure to transform California’s mental health system finally ended Wednesday, more than two weeks after the…
Schiff cheapened himself by boosting Garvey in Senate race
SACRAMENTO — Rep. Adam B. Schiff’s clever and cynical ploy in California’s Senate primary enabled him to avoid risk in the November runoff. But he subjected…
California lawmakers come back with bill targeting ‘buyers’ of child sex trafficking
SACRAMENTO — After her noteworthy success in establishing harsher criminal penalties for child sex traffickers, Republican Sen. Shannon Grove has introduced legislation to lengthen prison terms…
Atkins is prepared to lead California but faces a tough race
SACRAMENTO — Californians could do worse than elect veteran state Senate leader Toni Atkins (D-San Diego) to replace Gov. Gavin Newsom. Not that they should necessarily.…
California bill paves way for psychedelic therapy
SACRAMENTO — The movement to legalize psychedelics in California appears to be entering a new phase, with a focus on incremental steps to permit the drugs…
Column: To reduce crime, fix San Quentin
In 2020, after the tragic murder of George Floyd, there was a moment when it seemed as if America, California included, was ready to reform…
Column: Sacramento politicians need the guts to fix California’s money woes
SACRAMENTO — California state government’s bank account has dwindled from a nearly $100-billion surplus 18 months ago to a projected $68-billion deficit. How could that possibly…