California lawmakers extend landmark climate change law

California lawmakers voted Monday to extend a climate change initiative that Gov. Jerry Brown holds up as a model for states and nations looking to lower carbon emissions. Brown's signature will add another decade of life to the state's cap-and-trade program, bolstering the Democratic governor's quest to portray California as a leader in the fight against climate change at a time when President Donald Trump is pulling back.

Californiaa s climate change extension clears Legislature, heads to Gov. Brown

An effort to extend California's signature program for reducing greenhouse gas emissions to combat climate change cleared the California Legislature on Monday, sending the deal to Gov. Jerry Brown's desk. Senate Pro Tem Kevin de Len called AB 398, which cleared the necessary two-thirds threshold in both houses, a "legislative unicorn" that brought together an unusual coalition of business organizations and environmental groups, among others rarely aligned at the Capitol.

California climate law touted as global model faces key test

California lawmakers moved closer Monday to a high-stakes decision that will decide the fate of a climate initiative that Gov. Jerry Brown holds up as a model to be replicated around the world to confront rising global temperatures. Debate had begun on whether to give another decade of life to California's cap-and-trade program has global implications as the largest U.S. state moves to be a leader in reducing carbon emissions at a time when President Donald Trump is pulling back from fighting global warming.

California governor scrambles for support on climate deal

A plan to extend California's signature climate initiative for another decade is scheduled to go before legislative committees Thursday, despite opposition from some environmental advocates. Gov. Jerry Brown and top lawmakers have struggled to line up support with Democratic legislative leaders indicating Wednesday that climate and air quality negotiations had expanded to include the state's lack of affordable housing.

Celebrations, vigil mark year since Philando Castile death

Gov. Mark Dayton, left, embraces Valerie Castile after announcing the creation of a $12 million state police training fund one year after Castile's son Philando Castile was fatally shot by St. Anthony police Officer Je... Federal prosecutors say Hobby Lobby Stores has agreed to pay a $3 million federal fine and forfeit thousands of ancient Iraqi artifacts that the government alleges were intentionally mislabeled. The girlfriend of a parolee who fatally ambushed a New York City police officer reported that he was acting paranoid and erratic about two hours before the slaying.

Democrats, Beware the Single-Payer Siren

Democrats who are giddily munching popcorn while watching Republicans struggle with trying to repeal Obamacare may want to put down the tub. They are on the verge of adopting a politically analogous health care plank, one designed to rev up their ideological base in the next campaign, but destined to make the party suffer once in power.

California government will spend more than ever before under the new budget

Gov. Jerry Brown, unveiling his revised budget plan in May, signed a $183.2-billion state spending plan on June 27. Gov. Jerry Brown, unveiling his revised budget plan in May, signed a $183.2-billion state spending plan on June 27. Gov. Jerry Brown placed his signature Tuesday on a $183.2-billion state budget, a spending plan that boosts public schools and programs aimed at California's less fortunate while stashing away an additional $1.8 billion in the state's long-term cash reserves. The budget is the first crafted since President Trump's election and includes money for a few programs that Democrats insisted were a necessary response to the changing political times.

California is playing defense under Trump

Xavier Becerra, California's combative attorney general, has become the Golden State's face of resistance to the Trump administration's domestic initiatives, the blunt voice rejecting the president's attempts to roll back the progressive immigration and environmental policies so central to California's sense of itself. At a June 16 press conference, for example, Becerra pushed back against stricter immigration enforcement, saying his office would review conditions at immigrant detention facilities in conjunction with a legislative measure that prohibits local governments from renting out jail beds to U.S. Immigration and Customs.

California governor named adviser for UN climate conference

California Gov. Jerry Brown was named Tuesday as a special envoy to states at the next United Nations Climate Change Conference, further elevating his international profile as a leader on the issue as President Donald Trump backs away from a key international agreement. The announcement of Brown's role at the November conference in Bonn, Germany, by Fiji Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama comes on the heels of the governor's meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping and German Environment Minister Barbara Hendricks to discuss climate change.

California governor further extends int’l outreach on climate action

Governor Jerry Brown of U.S. state of California met Friday in San Francisco visiting German Environment Minister Barbara Hendricks, hours after returning from a climate mission to China, and continued his international outreach on climate action. "China and Germany - two of the most powerful countries in the world - are working with California and with other states to deal with climate change," Brown said, noting that "the current withdrawal from the Paris Agreement by the Washington administration is being overcome and countermanded by people throughout the whole world."

California legislator wins Democratic fight for House seat

A Hispanic legislator backed by the Democratic Party and powerful labour unions easily won Tuesday's election to a vacant U.S. House seat in Southern California, after turning back a spirited campaign by a self-proclaimed outsider who wanted to become the first Korean-American in Congress in nearly two decades. Assemblyman Jimmy Gomez won 60 per cent of the 33,000 votes counted in the 34th Congressional District, according to an unofficial tally Tuesday.

States seek to fill the void after Trump dumped the climate pact

Leaders of California, Washington and other states said Thursday they will work to fill the international leadership vacuum created by President Donald Trump's decision to withdraw from the Paris climate change agreement. Even before Trump was elected, California Gov. Jerry Brown had joined with other states and governments in Europe, Canada and China to pursue reductions in greenhouse gas emissions greater than those called for in the Paris pact.

Gov Jerry Brown’s ‘Freeloaders’ Comment Rejuvenates Anti-Gas Tax Fervor

Opponents of California's recent gas tax say Democratic Gov. Jerry Brown's recent comments likening them to "freeloaders" has created even more animus against the law's supporters. One lawmaker who is trying to repeal the so-called Road Repair and Accountability Act said Sunday that "outraged" citizens inundated his office with calls asking why the governor is so dismissive toward their concerns.

Gov. Browna s views on a oesanctuary statesa has varied

SACRAMENTO >> If Gov. Jerry Brown ends up signing a pending bill to make California a “sanctuary state” for undocumented immigrants, it will be an about-face for the governor, who publicly opposed the idea of sanctuary cities several years ago. While it's often difficult to predict Brown's actions, many Capitol observers expect him to approve it, given both California's political landscape and strong Democratic antipathy toward President Donald Trump.

California Gears Up to Fight Trump on Car Emissions

President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Tuesday aimed at overturning environmental regulations and reviving the coal industry. Trump also railed against a so-called "War on Coal" as well as general federal regulations in his speech prior to signing the order, promising to strike down regulations in every industry by the "thousands."