Gavin Newsom

California faces a $2.9 billion budget deficit for the next fiscal year, one that’s drastically smaller than an $18 billion shortfall forecast last fall, according to Governor Gavin Newsom’s January budget proposal released on Friday.

Under Newsom’s tenure, health care has been expanded, but his housing goals and homelessness pledges remain unfinished. Can he deliver before eyeing the White House?

In the most-comprehensive look yet at whether people are using Gov. Gavin Newsom’s CARE Court, CalMatters found that far fewer Californians are enrolled in the mental health program than he projected.

The fight over California's new congressional map designed to help Democrats flip congressional House seats went to court Monday as a panel of federal judges considers whether the district boundaries approved by voters last month can be used in elections.

The seven-term congressmember is running on protecting Californians from the Trump administration and from rising prices. While he’s developed a reputation as a professional GOP antagonist, the challenge will be proving he has what it takes to deliver on the elusive affordability promise.

Without the original “trigger clause,” Prop 50 will still go into effect.

The federal grand jury indictment accuses Williamson and four other co-conspirators, including Becerra’s former chief of staff, of funneling $225,000 in money from a dormant campaign account. Williamson is also accused of falsely claiming more than $1.7 million in fraudulent business expenses on her taxes, for a $15,000 Chanel bag, a chartered jet and a nearly $170,000 birthday trip to Mexico.

California state officials are in Brazil for the annual United Nations climate conference. The visit highlights California’s role as a climate leader and supports its environmental policies, especially since the U.S. has no official federal delegation. However, some critics question whether the trip is worthwhile because California lacks the power to make international agreements.

Legal experts, including a former federal official and UCLA professor, say California could go it alone if the federal government stops regulating greenhouse gases. One reason to try is to protect the state’s clean-car economy.

Now in its fourth week, the ongoing federal government shutdown will likely delay food benefits for millions of Californians — prompting Gov. Gavin Newsom to set aside $80 million in state support and deploy the California National Guard to assist food banks.

Opponents of Prop. 50 want voters to resist gerrymandering. Supporters are doing everything they can to make the election about Trump.

The law comes on the heels of a host of other literacy initiatives, including mandatory dyslexia screening and universal transitional kindergarten.