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Eric Risberg/AP PhotoGov. Gavin Newsom’s commutations of death sentences marked how far California has changed on criminal justice over three decades. Yet the death penalty remains part of a contradictory status quo. -
Miguel Gutierrez Jr./CalMattersGov.-elect Xavier Becerra has evaded giving specifics about what policies his administration will prioritize. But some lawmakers are hoping for a more collaborative relationship.
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Families of those killed by death row inmates react to California Gov. Gavin Newsom commuting their sentences to life in prison. -
Gov. Gavin Newsom commuted death sentences for 548 state prisoners, saying “state-sanctioned killing is incompatible with California’s values.” Victims rights advocates criticized his decision. -
Unlike his predecessor, Democratic Gov.-elect Xavier Becerra has made few promises on the campaign trail and only hinted at certain policy priorities. -
Democrat Xavier Becerra easily won for race for governor in the most populous Democratic state in the country. -
Polls have for months widely favored Democrat Xavier Becerra for governor in the most populous Democratic state in the country. Republican Steve Hilton is banking on dissatisfaction with the cost of living to get independents and even some liberals to consider him. -
For weeks, Republican Steve Hilton has tried every trick in the book to boost his candidacy in the California governor’s race. It doesn’t appear to have made a big difference. -
The largest union in California state government held a one-day strike, drawing thousands of workers off the job. It’s pressing Gov. Gavin Newsom for raises and more flexibility to work from home. -
We asked California governor candidates Xavier Becerra and Steve Hilton how they’d manage conflicts over water. The Republican endorsed more spending on dams. -
A suggestive new Hilton ad tries to seduce liberal voters into voting Republican — and instead infuriated his conservative allies. -
In June, lawmakers passed a healthcare tax that could increase premiums in order to combat federal Medicaid cuts. A new lawsuit says that tax violates Proposition 35, passed by voters in 2024. -
The measure would have allowed the Office of the Inspector General that oversees the high-speed rail authority to hire more highly trained workers for audits and investigations. -
In their only debate, Xavier Becerra repeatedly linked Steve Hilton to President Donald Trump — while Hilton accused him of dodging California’s real problems.
