In sweeping reforms announced this week the state of California has done away with its cash bail system. Release from custody for defendants will be determined by a public-risk assessment conducted by court employees or a contracted public agency. The move is intended to address what reformers consider inequalities in the bail system. “Today, California […]
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California has become the first state to require all new homes constructed to have solar power. The state’s five-member Energy Commission voted unanimously for the requirement this week marking a significant step forward in U.S. renewable-energy use. Under the new rules, construction companies must build one of two options: either individual homes with solar panels, […]
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The State of California has now surpassed the United Kingdom as the fifth largest economy in the world by growing their gross domestic product $127 billion over the last two years, to $2.7 trillion. The U.K’s economic shrunk this year, believed to be a result of exchange-rate fluctuations the country has suffered over the last […]
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A bill that would grant illegal immigrants the right to sit on state boards and commissions has been introduced in the California State Senate. Senate Bill 174 amends an existing state law that prohibits individuals from holding office if they are not a U.S. citizen at the time of their appointment. The bill was introduced […]
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What if a car was able to pick you up on its own? California is now one step closer to that goal after the California Public Utilities Commission issued a proposal that would allow companies like Google, General Motors and Waymo to picking passengers up in self driving cars without a driver present. A lot […]
Continue ReadingA federal appeals court struck down an injunction issued last year that blocked a Texas law prohibiting local governments in the state from adopting certain “sanctuary city” immigration policies. The law, known as Senate Bill 4 allows Texas law enforcement officers to inquire about individuals’ immigration status whom they are detaining. Under the bill, city […]
Continue ReadingThe Department of Justice has announced a lawsuit against the state of California over some its “sanctuary” immigration policies. The lawsuit alleges that the state of California obstructs the federal government from enforcing existing immigration laws. The DOJ cites three California statutes that impede the federal government’s enforcement of immigration regulations. One, the Immigration Worker […]
Continue ReadingA U.S. District Court Judge has ruled in favor of the Trump administration, allowing them to begin construction of a wall along the southern border of the U.S., bypassing environmental statues for its construction. The lawsuit had been brought by the Center for Biological Diversity, the California Coastal Commission, and California Attorney General Xavier Becerra. […]
Continue ReadingSenator Diane Feinstein was dealt a stunning rebuke when delegates to the California Democratic Party’s annual convention declined to endorse her reelection bid today. Torn between moderate and ideological forces, delegates voted for a progressive rival to Feinstein – state Senate leader Kevin de Leon – by a count of 54% to 37%. The threshold is 60% […]
Continue ReadingCalifornia’s insurance commissioner has launched an investigation into healthcare provider Aetna after a former medical director testified under oath that he never looked at patients’ records when deciding whether to approve or deny care. The former Aetna official said that per the company’s training, he relied on nurses who reviewed individual patients’ records and made […]
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