DeSantis gaining support; Trump still popular in GOP

While recent public polling suggests that Republican voters in California are increasingly favoring Florida Governor Ron DeSantis as their preferred candidate for the 2024 presidential primary, attendees at the California Republican Party convention this past weekend remain firmly in support of former President Donald Trump. 

Delegates, activists, volunteers, and local officials at the convention in Sacramento made it clear that Trump is still the man to beat, with his name and slogans visible on signs and campaign paraphernalia throughout the event. 

In contrast, DeSantis, who has not yet declared that he is running for president, received much less attention. 

Courts uphold right of rgig companies to classify workers as independent contractors

In a recent ruling, a California appeals court has granted ride-sharing companies Uber, Lyft, and DoorDash the right to classify their drivers as independent contractors, rather than employees.

This decision upholds the results of Proposition 22, which was passed by California voters in 2020 and exempts ride-sharing firms from a law requiring them to classify their drivers as employees. While the ruling provides clarity on the classification of hundreds of thousands of California ride-share drivers, it is a blow to the unions who had hoped for a different outcome.

The ballot initiative saw ride-share companies pour over $224 million into the campaign, making it the most expensive ballot measure in California history at the time. Prop. 22 granted some benefits to drivers, including a partial health care subsidy under certain conditions, but they still don't have access to other workplace benefits, such as minimum wage, sick leave, unemployment benefits, and more.

Governor's budget proposal cuts funds protecting coast

California Governor Gavin Newsom's proposed climate budget would cut $561 million from local coastal resilience projects, a reduction of 43% compared to 2021 and 2022, potentially leaving vulnerable beaches, homes, and infrastructure unprotected against rising sea levels and climate change. 

The cuts form part of Newsom's proposed $6 billion reduction in the state's climate change programs due to a projected $22.5 billion statewide deficit. However, critics, including lawmakers and environmentalists, argue that the proposed cuts could have far-reaching implications and jeopardize efforts to address climate change. 

Californians facing single-source electric dependency

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) is pushing for a ban on the sale of gasoline and hybrid vehicles effective in 2035, as well as a ban on new purchases of natural gas-powered water heaters and space heaters effective in 2030. 

However, David Henderson argues in an article that CARB's push towards electricity is gradually reducing diversity in energy usage, making Californians more vulnerable to power outages. 

Henderson shares his own experiences with power outages, which occurred 6 times between December 10 and the present day, and a friend's experience of being trapped in his apartment due to the lack of power. 

He argues that the state government's plan will lead to "electricity hell" for millions of Californians. Source: Econlib

Newsom seeks to change in enviromental law used by wealthy to block development

Governor Gavin Newsom has pledged to reform California's landmark environmental law, the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), which he believes has been used by wealthy homeowners to block housing development for students at the University of California, Berkeley. 

The announcement comes in response to a state appeals court ruling that found the university had not assessed potential noise impacts from loud student parties in nearby residential neighbourhoods as required by CEQA. The ruling could delay the building of a complex at Berkeley's People's Park for years or even decades. 

Fish protection waived temporarily to let water flow | State headlines

California's State Water Resources Control Board has temporarily waived fish protection rules to allow for more storage in Central Valley reservoirs. 

The waiver means that more water can be distributed to cities and growers through the State Water Project and the federal Central Valley Project. However, environmentalists are concerned that the move will jeopardize chinook salmon and other native fish in the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta that are already struggling to survive. 

Is public transit facing 'fiscal cliff'? | State headlines

California’s major public transit agencies are facing numerous issues such as decreased ridership, proposed state funding cuts, and a looming “fiscal cliff”. 

The state’s transit systems are vital for low-income individuals, increasing housing density and achieving the state’s goal of significantly reducing carbon emissions. Transit systems are asking California lawmakers to invest in public transportation and allocate new funds to maintain service levels. COVID-19 pandemic led to a significant decrease in public transit ridership, impacting fare box revenue, and most agencies have not yet returned to pre-pandemic levels.