California - Independent Voter News (Page 8)

California Assembly Unanimously Approves Bill to Halt Major Cannabis Tax Hike

In a stunning show of bipartisan agreement, the California Assembly voted 74-0 on June 2 to approve legislation that would pause a significant tax increase on the state’s legal cannabis industry.

By

Cara Brown McCormick

/ June 3, 2025

California Assembly Unanimously Approves Bill to Halt Major Cannabis Tax Hike

California Lawmakers Push Back on Federal AI Regulation Ban Buried in 'One Big Beautiful Bill Act'

Given the state’s role as home to many leading AI companies, a bipartisan coalition of California legislators is urging Congress to strike a little-noticed provision from the sweeping federal tax package that would block states and local governments from regulating artificial intelligence (AI) for t

By

Cara Brown McCormick

/ May 27, 2025

California Lawmakers Push Back on Federal AI Regulation Ban Buried in 'One Big Beautiful Bill Act'

More Than a Uniform: Remembering Annie Covarrubias and the Crisis Facing Correctional Officers

Last week, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) officials announced the sudden passing of Annie Covarrubias, a correctional officer at the Correctional Training Facility (CTF) in Soledad. She was 35 years old. In the words of her colleagues, Annie was a “dependable, profess

By

Chad Peace

/ May 20, 2025

More Than a Uniform: Remembering Annie Covarrubias and the Crisis Facing Correctional Officers

California Seizes $123.5M in Illegal Cannabis in Largest-Ever Enforcement Operation

In its largest coordinated crackdown to date, California’s Unified Cannabis Enforcement Task Force seized more than $123 million worth of illegal cannabis during a sweeping, multi-agency operation across the Central Valley.

By

Cara Brown McCormick

/ May 20, 2025

California Seizes $123.5M in Illegal Cannabis in Largest-Ever Enforcement Operation

AB 955 Revisited: How to Expand Cross-Border Care Without Sacrificing Patient Protections

IVN recently examined AB 955, by Assemblymember David Alvarez. The bill seeks to expand a healthcare service program I created in 1998 as the author of SB1658.

By

Steve Peace

/ May 14, 2025

AB 955 Revisited: How to Expand Cross-Border Care Without Sacrificing Patient Protections

Gov. Newsom Targets Prescription Drug Middlemen in New Reform Proposal

California Gov. Gavin Newsom is reviving efforts to regulate the powerful and often opaque intermediaries at the center of the prescription drug supply chain. In a proposal unveiled as part of his revised May budget, Newsom calls for stringent oversight of pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), companies

By Tori Stevens

/ May 14, 2025

Gov. Newsom Targets Prescription Drug Middlemen in New Reform Proposal

A History of California Criminal Justice and Prison Reform Initiatives (1994-2025)

Over the past 30 years, California voters have repeatedly turned to the ballot box to shape criminal justice policy, responding to concerns about public safety, justice, punishment, and rehabilitation.

By

Cara Brown McCormick

/ May 13, 2025

A History of California Criminal Justice and Prison Reform Initiatives (1994-2025)

Trump Pushes Alcatraz Revival as Calif. Audit Finds State Prisons Unprepared for Natural Disaster Evacuations

As President Donald Trump calls for the reopening and expansion of Alcatraz Island to house the nation’s “most ruthless and violent offenders,” a new state audit raises alarms about California’s state prison system: most state-run facilities are not adequately prepared to evacuate during natural dis

By

Cara Brown McCormick

/ May 5, 2025

Trump Pushes Alcatraz Revival as Calif. Audit Finds State Prisons Unprepared for Natural Disaster Evacuations

Cross-Border Healthcare: A Complex Problem Meets a Bipartisan Solution

While healthcare in California has seen massive investments in coverage and access, these gains often mean little to border residents who split time, family, or even residency across two countries

By

Chad Peace

/ April 30, 2025

Cross-Border Healthcare: A Complex Problem Meets a Bipartisan Solution

In Oakland, Barbara Lee's RCV Strategy Seen as Critical to Mayoral Victory

In a dramatic shift following the April 15 special mayoral election in Oakland, former U.S. Representative Barbara Lee has been declared the winner, pulling into a commanding lead over former Councilmember Loren Taylor, as vote counting continues.

By

Cara Brown McCormick

/ April 18, 2025

In Oakland, Barbara Lee's RCV Strategy Seen as Critical to Mayoral Victory

Analysis: Popular Oakland Ranked Choice Voting System Used to Decide City's Next Mayor

On Tuesday, Oakland, CA used ranked choice voting (RCV) in special elections for mayor and City Council District 2 – marking Oakland’s 5th mayoral election using RCV. A 2024 poll found that 77% of Oakland voters are satisfied with the election method.

By Bryan Huang

/ April 16, 2025

Analysis: Popular Oakland Ranked Choice Voting System Used to Decide City's Next Mayor

On Top of New Tariffs and Proposed Vape Ban, Calif. Cannabis Retailers Also Face an Excise Tax Hike

As California’s legal cannabis industry heads into the second half of 2025, store owners are facing a combination of rising costs that could further disadvantage them against the state’s still-thriving illicit market.

By

Cara Brown McCormick

/ April 16, 2025

On Top of New Tariffs and Proposed Vape Ban, Calif. Cannabis Retailers Also Face an Excise Tax Hike