Politics

Nearly four months after forming a bipartisan select committee and two hearings later, Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas announced legislation Feb. 15 to combat shoplifting and organized retail theft—just beating a legislative deadline to introduce new bills. The Hollister Democrat joined Democratic Assemblymembers Rick Zbur of...

In a step toward building the first massive wind farms off California’s coast, three Assemblymembers on Feb. 12 proposed a $1 billion bond act to help pay for the expansion of ports. The bill, if approved, would place a bond before voters aimed at helping...

A suite of five bills introduced this week seeks to protect election integrity from bad actors using AI, especially on social media. Concerned that AI-generated fake political ads can discourage voter participation, 28th District Democratic Assemblymember Gail Pellerin of Santa Cruz said she’ll propose a...

As the March 5 presidential primary election approaches in California, Joe Biden and Donald Trump are enjoying significant leads in the polls and appear to be well on their way to securing their political parties’ respective nominations.  In Santa Clara County, there are also a...

Voters in Morgan Hill will likely get to vote in November on whether elected city officials should be subject to term limits, after the city council decided at a recent meeting to place a measure on the ballot.  Currently, Morgan Hill and Gilroy are the...

Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office said Jan. 16 that he would veto any bill with an outright ban on youth tackle football. “My Administration will work with the Legislature and the bill’s author to strengthen safety in youth football—while ensuring parents have the freedom to...

California is in a budget hole, its depth measured not in feet, but in dollars. How deep? A projected $38 billion deficit, according to Gov. Gavin Newsom, who said Jan. 10 he will declare a fiscal emergency when necessary and unveiled his initial plan to...

Californians that partake in cannabis use in their off-work down time will have more employment protections beginning Jan. 1 thanks to new laws.   Assembly Bill 2188 is an amendment to the state’s Fair Employment and Housing Act and prohibits employers from discriminating against a worker...

California workers will be guaranteed five paid sick days a year starting Jan. 1, up from the three days that employers are currently required to provide, thanks to Senate Bill 616.  The bill, authored by Long Beach Democratic Sen. Lena Gonzalez, also extends protections against...

A new Chick-fil-A restaurant with one of the largest drive-thru facilities in northern California is coming to Morgan Hill.  The Morgan Hill City Council on Nov. 15 unanimously approved plans for the new 5,000-square-foot restaurant at the corner of Cochrane Road and Sutter Boulevard. The...