Gaming the system: Paul Mitchell on the impact of prediction markets and bad polls

Driving data bill stalls…again

Image by Thanakorn Lappattaranan.

by CORY JAYNES posted 08.26.2026

A bill that would have allowed drivers to opt in to usage-based insurance was held under submission by the Senate Appropriations Committee earlier this month, leaving California as the only state not to allow car insurance rates based on driving data

Lobbyist, author and McGeorge law professor Chris Micheli offers a quick look at what’s coming up this week under the Capitol Dome.

Governor could grant clemency in 565 death penalty cases. Or not

California Death Row. Photo by the Associated Press.

by DAN MORAIN posted 08.23.2026

As his time as governor comes to an end, Gov. Gavin Newsom is facing a life-or-death decision: whether to commute the sentences of the 547 men and 18 women in state prison who have been condemned to death. There is good reason to believe Newsom will take that step, and there is reason to believe he won’t. Neither he nor his aides are telegraphing his plan.

Some notes on the use of legislative history in California

The Great Seal of the State of California on the floor of the State Capitol Building. Image by Sundry Photography.

by CHRIS MICHELI posted 08.27.2026

When interpreting ambiguous statutes in California, the courts of this state may examine the legislative history of an enacted statute in order to try and effectuate the intent of the Legislature. In such a case, it is important for legislators, staff, and interest groups to better understand the need to provide adequate legislative history.

Insurance crisis has private foster agencies struggling to stay afloat

Image by cmannphoto.

by BRIAN JOSEPH posted 08.25.2026

Left in limbo by the Legislature and Gov. Gavin Newsom, California’s private foster agencies say they’re struggling to stay afloat until the new year, when they hope a new governor will help them navigate an ongoing insurance crisis that threatens their existence.

California’s next drinking water chief must get the balance right

Image by Greggory DiSalvo.

by ROY L. WOLFE posted 08.31.2026

The new deputy director will play a major role in deciding how California protects the drinking water systems that serve tens of millions of people.

A cleaner California starts with stronger manufacturing

Cement plant in Lebec. Photo courtesy of National Cement Company.

by ELEONORE SIDOS-VICAT posted 08.28.2026

California has seven cement plants in operation currently. Before Cap-and-Invest took effect, there were 11 cement plants.

California already learned this expensive pension lesson

Image by Dzmitry-Skazau.

by TIM HEPBURN and SCOTT SEDGLEY posted 08.27.2026

AB 1383 creates a new problem: Once one city adopts richer pension benefits, neighboring jurisdictions must match them to remain competitive.