Grace Gedye
CalMatters-
Climate activists and some lawmakers want two of California鈥檚 pension funds to shed about $15 billion of fossil fuel holdings. They say the move would reduce oil and gas companies鈥 political power, but opponents say it would be a bad move financially.
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After California鈥檚 largest home insurance provider said it wouldn鈥檛 issue new policies, consumer and insurance industry groups have ideas for what they鈥檇 like to see California do. Here鈥檚 the debate over four of those ideas.
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Consumer groups say some new 鈥渆arned wage access鈥 services are similar to payday loans, but they鈥檝e been operating in a legal gray area. A California department has proposed rules that would be the first in the country to systematically regulate the industry.
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Wildfires and expensive rebuilding wiped out profits among California home insurers. State Farm isn鈥檛 the first insurer to retreat from the state, and may not be the last.
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After the demise of two regional banks, experts had some ideas for what the state could do differently. A clearer picture will emerge once the state鈥檚 regulator publishes a report, and lawmakers discuss options.
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A California bill would hold social media companies legally responsible for addicting kids to their platforms. Tech lobbyists, digital rights advocates, and others say the proposal would run afoul of federal law and the U.S. Constitution.
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A bevy of new legislation takes aim at hidden fees across several industries. A growing body of research mostly shows that people spend more when fees are revealed later.
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Evidence from pilot programs show that 32 hour weeks are feasible, but business groups in California say it won鈥檛 work for all companies. Lawmakers in California and D.C. are introducing bills that would encourage or require shortened work weeks.
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Tax returns are used by the state government to send Californians money. But some of the people who could most use the money don鈥檛 get it 鈥 if their incomes are low, they may not be required to file taxes, and if they choose not to, they might miss out.
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In 2023, companies with at least 15 workers will need to add pay ranges to job postings. Larger companies will also have to report more data to the state.
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California鈥檚 Employment Development Department struggled to keep up with the demands of the pandemic. But a potential recession isn鈥檛 likely to be as intense, and the department has made several changes that could smooth the process of getting benefits.
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Voters resoundingly rejected Propositions 26 and 27, but that doesn鈥檛 end the debate over California sports betting. Those behind the ballot measures are figuring out their next steps.