Deals to watch as CA lawmakers make final sprint

California's state lawmakers are back in Sacramento for the final month of their legislative session, ending August thirty-first. CalMatters reports that Democratic leaders are sprinting to negotiate deals with Governor Gavin Newsom on three major legislative priorities. First: climate funding. A state carbon market expected to generate four billion dollars a year could shrink by half under new Newsom administration rules, jeopardizing funds for various climate programs. Lawmakers and the governor never aligned on spending from the state's main climate fund during the June budget deadline. Second: California Forever. A real estate group backed by tech billionaires wants to turn Solano County farmland into a new Bay Area city, seeking a carveout on environmental rules to accelerate the project. After a major shipyard chose Texas over the site, the development group—which Newsom appears to support—is growing impatient with lawmakers. Third: utilities' wildfire liability. The governor's proposal to address wildfire risks has drawn criticism from consumer advocates, wildfire survivors, and insurance companies, who say it would reduce utilities' liability and limit victim compensation. Details remain unclear—no bill language has been drafted yet.

Listen to this story

Hear this and more stories in a personalized audio briefing.

Open The Chonkerton