California Politics & News
Stay updated with California news, including reporting, analysis, and commentary on state government, progressive overreach, and the conservative response to Golden State policies.
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- Opinion
Podcast: What’s Next for Trump Administration’s Legal Fight Against California
Is California or the Trump administration going to win on sanctuary areas? J. Christian Adams of the Public Interest Legal Foundation walks us through federal and state issues the case touches on, and how a case waged by President Barack Obama’s administration might have an impact. Plus: We talk about whether video games contribute to…Katrina Trinko -
- News
California Students Are Fighting to Keep Abortion Pills Off Their Campus
San Jose State University students are protesting a measure that may bring abortion pills to their campus after the California Senate approved a bill requiring the state’s public universities and colleges to offer abortion drugs at their health centers. “I just can’t imagine it honestly,” Spartans for Life Vice President Miriana Miranda said, according to CBS…Grace Carr -
- News
California Sues DOJ Over Funding Cuts to ‘Sanctuary States’
The state of California sued the Department of Justice Wednesday to force the release of records relating to Attorney General Jeff Sessions’ order to withhold funding from so-called sanctuary states. California is one of several sanctuary jurisdictions—but the first state—to file a lawsuit relating to Sessions’ order to tie federal grants to immigration compliance. The lawsuit demands…Anders Hagstrom -
- Opinion
Podcast: A California City Is Experimenting With Universal Basic Income
What will happen if people are given $6,000 a year … to do nothing? The city of Stockton in California is testing that out. Robert Rector, a senior fellow at The Heritage Foundation and welfare expert, explains what happened when five U.S. cities tried universal basic income in the ’70s. Plus: The New York Times…Katrina Trinko -
- Opinion
California Bill Threatens Waiters With Jail for Providing Plastic Straws
Waiters could face criminal penalties for giving straws to customers if a recently proposed California bill goes into effect. California Assemblyman Ian Calderon, the Democratic majority leader of the state Assembly, has introduced a bill into the state’s lower House that would make it a criminal offense for restaurant employees to provide patrons with single-use…Amy Swearer -
- Opinion
We Hear You: The Schumer Shutdown, ‘Dreamers,’ 2 Marches, and California’s Tax Grab
Editor's note: The Daily Signal's readers weren't favorably impressed by the Democrat-driven government "shutdown" that barely outlasted a weekend. Nothingburger or not, it leads our roundup today. Be sure to write us at [email protected].—Ken McIntyre Dear Daily Signal: Regarding Genevieve Wood’s commentary on the government shutdown, politicians would rather have an issue than a solution…Ken McIntyre -
- News
California Democrats Want Businesses to Turn Over Half Their Tax-Cut Savings to the State
Democrat state lawmakers in California say they want some businesses to give half their tax-cut savings from congressional Republicans’ tax reform package to the state. That’s no way to create jobs and raise pay, conservatives fire back. “It’s typical that Democrats in California see every dollar back in taxpayers’ pocket as a dollar they can…Rachel del Guidice -
- News
DOJ Backs Effort to Repeal California Law Requiring Pro-Lifers to Promote Abortion
The Department of Justice filed an amicus (or “friend-of-the-court”) brief at the Supreme Court, urging the justices to overturn a California law requiring pro-life crisis pregnancy centers to post information about state-funded abortions. The Supreme Court has agreed to review the law in November. The law, called the Reproductive FACT Act, requires crisis pregnancy clinics to post…Kevin Daley -
- News
California Is Officially a Sanctuary State
A sweeping immigration law took effect Monday in California, officially making it the country’s largest sanctuary state. The controversial law, SB 54, passed the state Legislature in September and was signed into law by Democratic Gov. Jerry Brown the following month. It prevents police in California, which has by far the nation’s largest illegal immigrant…Will Racke -
- News
California Democrat Wants to Mandate State Colleges Have Abortion Pills Ready for Students
California lawmakers are debating whether to adopt a bill that would require California’s public universities and colleges to offer abortion drugs at their health centers. Senate Bill 320, sponsored by state Sen. Connie Leyva, D-Chino, will mandate that the state’s community colleges and public universities provide women with abortion pills for up to 10 weeks…Grace Carr -
- Opinion
Big Victory for Abortion Pill Reversal Training in California
Facing intense political pressure from abortion activists, a major licensing agency stood its ground earlier this month and delivered a major victory for women facing unexpected pregnancies throughout the nation. In a written letter sent Dec. 19, the California Board of Registered Nursing notified Heartbeat International that it can now grant continuing education units to…Jay Hobbs -
- News
28 Photos That Take You Inside California Wildfires’ Destruction
Wildfires in Southern California aided by wind have driven 200,000 from their homes, and have forced schools throughout the area to close. The largest fire started in Santa Paula, California, on Monday, but there are now five separate fires. Here’s a glimpse into some of the destruction California is facing. L.A. officials are evacuating people near a brush fire off…Rachel del Guidice -
- Opinion
California Tried to Force Pro-Life Centers to Promote Abortion. Now, the Supreme Court Is Weighing In.
On Nov. 13, the Supreme Court announced it will hear arguments in a case with serious implications for free speech nationwide. In NIFLA vs. Becerra, the court will decide whether pro-life advocates must refer clients to abortion clinics or face fines, penalties, and possible closure. The basic question the court must decide is whether the…Thomas Glessner -
- News
California Judge Blocks Trump’s Sanctuary City Order
A federal judge in California blocked President Donald Trump’s executive order reducing funding for sanctuary cities Monday, limiting the administration’s ability to punish municipalities that violate federal immigration law. The permanent injunction follows a preliminary ruling, issued in April, in a suit filed by the city of San Francisco and Santa Clara County. “The Counties have demonstrated…Jack Crowe -
- Opinion
We Hear You: ‘High-Tax Paradises Such as New Jersey and California Better Wake Up’
Editor's note: With tax reform now in the Senate's hands following passage of a House bill to overhaul the tax code, it's a good time to review some more related thoughts of The Daily Signal's audience. Remember to write us at [email protected].—Ken McIntyre Dear Daily Signal: Regarding Rachel del Guidice's story on repealing the state…Ken McIntyre -
- Opinion
Supreme Court to Hear Case on Whether California Pro-Lifers Have to Promote Abortion
The Supreme Court agreed Monday to hear a critical First Amendment challenge to a California law that forces life-affirming pregnancy centers to promote abortion. The National Institute of Family and Life Advocates (NIFLA) is a group that promotes life-affirming options to women experiencing an unplanned pregnancy by supporting more than 1,400 pregnancy resource centers across…Melanie Israel -
- News
Supreme Court Will Review California Law Requiring Pro-Life Groups to Promote Abortion
The U.S. Supreme Court Monday agreed to hear a challenge to a California law requiring pro-life crisis pregnancy centers to post information about state-funded abortions. A coalition of pro-life groups challenging the law say it explicitly targets and coerces religious counseling centers into pro-abortion expression with which they disagree. The law, called the Reproductive FACT…Kevin Daley -
- Opinion
Must-See Moments: California NAACP Wants Congress to Replace the ‘Racist’ ‘Star-Spangled Banner’
The Daily Signal’s Facebook Live show “Top 10” features the top news stories of the week, many of which have either gone underreported or have been misreported by the mainstream media. This week, California’s NAACP wants a new national anthem because it says “The Star-Spangled Banner” is racist. We also touched on people’s outrage after…Daily Signal Staff -
- Opinion
California NAACP Calls ‘Star-Spangled Banner’ ‘Racist.’ Here’s Why Frederick Douglass Loved It.
Editorial Note: California’s NAACP has launched a campaign to remove “The Star-Spangled Banner” as America’s national anthem because it is “one of the most racist, pro-slavery, anti-black songs in the American lexicon.” The organization expressed support for NFL player Colin Kaepernick, who launched the recent movement to kneel for the national anthem before sports events. The following…Jarrett Stepman -
- Opinion
Judge Halts California Law Forcing Pro-Lifers to Advertise Abortions
In a major victory for free speech, Riverside County Superior Court Justice Gloria C. Trask ruled late Monday that California must not force pro-life pregnancy medical clinics to promote abortions to their clients. California had passed the so-called “Reproductive FACT Act” in 2015, which mandated that pro-life centers post signage and inform their clients about…Jay Hobbs