California’s once-booming economic engine is now flashing warning signs, according to the American Legislative Exchange Council’s latest “Rich States, Poor States” report. While the Golden State still ranks high in historical economic performance, its future outlook continues to darken under the weight of taxes, regulatory overreach, and declining private-sector employment.
California is grappling with a major budget crisis after Governor Gavin Newsom and the Democratic legislature pushed forward an aggressive Medicaid expansion.
California is advancing a $239 million taxpayer-funded initiative to transform San Quentin State Prison into a rehabilitation center, a move that has sparked controversy among some legal professionals.
Amador County Sheriff Gary Redman has publicly declared his intention to defy California's 2017 sanctuary law, SB 54, which limits local law enforcement's cooperation with federal immigration authorities.
Despite a nationwide drop in gas prices, California drivers continue to face prices near $5 per gallon—thanks in large part to state-imposed taxes and regulations, not oil companies, according to state data and industry experts.
A former police officer and current MMA fighter has been awarded $10 million in damages after a California jury ruled that she endured years of harassment.
California Governor Gavin Newsom (D) has called for the state to pursue "strategic" relationships with world leaders, urging them to make a retaliatory tariff exception for California exports.
