California Governor Nominates Eight to Appellate, Nine to Superior Courts
Governor Gavin Newsom announced nominations for eight Court of Appeal positions and the appointment of nine Superior Court judges across California.
California Groups Urge Newsom to Stop Glyphosate Use After Study Retraction
A coalition of Northern California residents, advocates, and professors has formally urged Governor Gavin Newsom to implement an immediate moratorium on glyphosate spraying in state and private forests. This demand follows the November 2025 retraction of a 2000 scientific study, which had previously deemed the herbicide safe, after revelations that a Monsanto employee ghostwrote the research. Citing escalating health and environmental risks, the coalition highlights increased glyphosate use for wildfire suppression following Newsom’s March 2025 emergency declaration, alongside conflicting safety assessments from the World Health Organization and the Environmental Protection Agency.
International Coalition Urges Newsom to Commute California’s Death Sentences before Leaving Office
A coalition comprising 46 international human rights and abolitionist organizations has formally urged California Governor Gavin Newsom to commute all death sentences within the state during the final months of his administration. The organizations contend such an action would eliminate the threat of execution for over 550 individuals and transmit a significant global message advocating for the cessation of capital punishment.
Newsom Unveils Nation’s Highest Minimum Wage at $17.40, Highlighting Federal Inaction
California’s statewide minimum wage is scheduled to increase to $17.40 per hour effective January 1, 2027, an adjustment automatically triggered by state law. This development, announced by Governor Gavin Newsom’s administration, further widens the disparity between California’s labor policies and the federal minimum wage, which remains at $7.25 per hour.
Newsom Accuses Feds of Weaponizing Immigration Enforcement for Political Ends
California Governor Gavin Newsom maintained Wednesday that recently disclosed federal court documents, encompassing sworn deposition testimony and internal communications from Homeland Security personnel, corroborate his long-standing assertion that a 2025 immigration enforcement operation conducted outside one of his political rallies was politically motivated.
Amid Ongoing Criticism of California’s Housing and Homelessness Crisis, Newsom Expands Highway Encampment Program
Governor Gavin Newsom announced new agreements with the cities of Ontario, San Bernardino, and San Diego to expand the state’s highway encampment cleanup program, even as he defended his administration’s broader record on homelessness reduction and housing production.
Monday Morning Commentary | State Enforcement, Local Planning Signal California’s Housing Landscape Has Changed
The State of California has escalated its enforcement of housing statutes, filing lawsuits against five cities—Calexico, Costa Mesa, Half Moon Bay, Ridgecrest, and Turlock—for non-compliance with Housing Element mandates. This enforcement, alongside local planning adjustments such as Dixon’s environmental review for over 7,100 housing units, indicates a fundamental transformation in the state’s approach to its housing deficit.
Newsom Administration Sues Five Cities for Ongoing Housing Law Violations
California Attorney General Rob Bonta and Governor Gavin Newsom initiated legal action against five California municipalities—Calexico, Costa Mesa, Half Moon Bay, Ridgecrest, and Turlock—for alleged non-compliance with the state’s Housing Element Law, escalating efforts to enforce housing planning requirements amid California’s persistent housing crisis.
Newsom Signs AB 179 to Streamline Affordable Housing Development, Expand Homelessness Funding
Governor Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 179, enacting sweeping changes to California’s affordable housing finance system that state officials contend will reduce construction costs, accelerate housing production, and extend funding for homelessness programs, while also establishing a new California Housing and Homelessness Agency to consolidate housing initiatives and enhance inter-agency coordination.
Newsom Signs Sweeping Education Legislation at Davis’ Willett Elementary
Governor Gavin Newsom signed California’s 2026 education budget, which constitutes a landmark investment in public education. The legislation prioritizes students with disabilities, evidenced by a $2.4 billion increase in special education funding, alongside provisions for community schools, educator recruitment and retention, and structural reforms designed to strengthen the state’s educational system.
Is ‘Taxing the Rich’ Possible in California? Many Scholars Think So
California voters are poised to consider a November ballot measure proposing a one-time 5% tax on residents with a net worth exceeding $1 billion. Proponents assert the levy, projected to generate $100 billion over five years, would fund state healthcare, education, and food support programs. The measure seeks to mitigate anticipated funding shortfalls attributed to recent federal legislative changes.
Newsom’s Final Budget Leaves Gaps in Health, Food Aid Amid Federal Cuts
End Child Poverty California (ECPCA) reported that the final 2026-27 California state budget, signed by Governor Gavin Newsom, includes significant new revenue measures to protect low-income families. The organization, however, warned the spending plan still leaves major gaps in health care and food assistance for Californians affected by federal cuts.
Protest Held and Assembly Bill in Process in Reaction to Newsom’s Return to Office Order
Governor Gavin Newsom’s executive order mandating a four-day in-person work week for state employees took effect on July 1. The directive, which increased the previous two-day requirement, elicited significant opposition from SEIU Local 1000, a prominent state workers’ union. Concurrently, Assembly Bill 1729 was introduced, seeking to establish greater flexibility for state personnel regarding workplace attendance.
California Court Rejects Huntington Beach’s Latest Housing Law Challenge
A California court has rejected the City of Huntington Beach’s latest legal challenge to state enforcement of housing law, a decision that allows the state to seek recovery of attorneys’ fees incurred during its defense against the city’s complaint.
Governor Newsom Signs Bipartisan Bill Expanding Judicial Discretion in Mental Health Diversion Cases
Governor Gavin Newsom has signed Assembly Bill 46, legislation intended to clarify California’s mental health diversion statute. The measure expands judicial authority, allowing judges to consider public safety when determining a defendant’s eligibility for diversion. This action aims to restore broader judicial discretion, preserving access to treatment for appropriate candidates while safeguarding communities.
Newsom Proclaims Pride Month Amid Federal Challenges to LGBTQ Progress
California Governor Gavin Newsom proclaimed June 2026 as LGBTQ Pride Month, reaffirming the state’s commitment to protecting LGBTQ rights and acknowledging the community’s historical contributions to civil rights and social justice movements. The proclamation, issued amid renewed national challenges, emphasized California’s support for the LGBTQ community and its legacy of resistance against discrimination.
Newsom Appoints 14 Superior Court Judges across California
Governor Gavin Newsom announced the appointment of 14 Superior Court judges across California, including three interim appointments that permit judges-elect to immediately assume office. The selections span El Dorado, Los Angeles, Orange, San Diego, Santa Barbara, Santa Clara, and Stanislaus counties.
Newsom Admin Funds Fight against Historic Tribal Housing Barriers: $38.2M.
California has allocated nearly $38.2 million to support housing and homelessness initiatives within Native American communities, Governor Gavin Newsom announced, with the funding designated for the expansion of permanent housing, culturally responsive services, and homelessness prevention programs administered by tribal governments.
California Lawmakers Propose $11.25 Billion Bond to Confront Housing Crisis
California lawmakers and Governor Gavin Newsom announced an agreement to place an $11.25 billion affordable housing and homeownership bond before voters in November 2026. The proposed Veterans and Affordable Housing Bond Act of 2026 aims to address the state’s persistent housing affordability crisis by funding construction, preservation, and rehabilitation of affordable housing, alongside expanding homeownership opportunities and supporting veterans’ housing programs.
Newsom Condemns DOJ Probe as Baseless, Links Trump Pardons to Systemic Fraud
Governor Gavin Newsom criticized the U.S. Department of Justice for commencing an investigation into his administration, which he described as “baseless.” The Governor’s remarks coincided with the announcement of new entries to a state-run database detailing individuals with criminal convictions, fraud histories, or connections to the January 6 Capitol attack who received clemency or other favorable dispositions from President Donald Trump.