Things to Do in L.A. Tap to enable a layout that focuses on the article. A view of the East Block of San Quentin Rehab Center's death row, which was shut down by Gov. Gavin Newsom earlier in his term before he announced Thursday that he was commuting the sentences of condemned inmates. This is read by an automated voice. Please report any issues or inconsistencies here . See more from the L.A. Times in Google Search. While running for California governor in 2018, Gavin Newsom declared that he would rather be bold and fail than retreat to the safety of mediocrity.

Things to Do in L.A. Tap to enable a layout that focuses on the article. Becerra prepares to take helm as governor with few political debts. Xavier Becerra shakes hands with supporters during an election night party Tuesday in West Sacramento. This is read by an automated voice. Please report any issues or inconsistencies here .

Democrats maintain a firm grip on California. But they face mounting pressure to balance the state budget, usher in more government efficiency, build homes and solve affordability, figure out wildfire liability and regulate AI.

Gov. Newsom signed AB 2599, requiring large companies to disclose ties to slavery. Eli Steele argues this White guilt-driven law ignores California's failing schools and test scores.

In his last few executive orders signed as California governor, Gavin Newsom, whose final term ends in January, issued one asking for independent verification of artificial intelligence models and set up an expert committee to create kill switches for AI agents that could go rogue and cause harm. In 2024, Newsom vetoed a bill, passed in the state assembly, asking for similar requirements that the governor has now called for in his executive order. Newsom said at the time that it would amount to "thwarting the promise of this technology". "He is in a lame duck period here," says Alex Hanna, director of research at the Distributed AI Research Institute (DAIR), unsure that the measures will pass in the remainder of his term. "He is setting up his next thing."

Things to Do in L.A. Tap to enable a layout that focuses on the article. Mortgage lenders probed over how they handled L.A. wildfire insurance payouts Altadena residents and council members gather at a fire-damaged residential property on East Las Flores Drive in support of Senate Bill 1090 on June 29, 2026, in Altadena, CA. Two thirds of Altadena homes were destroyed in the Eaton fire on January 7, 2025. SB 1090 would help protect fire survivors while preserving opportunities for affordable housing. This is read by an automated voice.

California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed into a law new rules for robotaxis, including one that that's meant to address concerns that they could get in the way of emergency services. Newsom signed Senate Bill 1246, which will establish local penalties for robotaxi companies if their vehicles block first responders, such as ambulances and fire trucks, for more than 30 minutes in case of emergencies. Several events over the past year have heightened people's worries that driverless cars could hinder emergency services from responding in a timely manner. In December 2025, several Waymo vehicles got stuck in the middle of San Francisco roads after a power outage that took out the city's traffic lights. During this year's Fourth of July celebrations, Waymo vehicles also had to be towed away after they ran out of power and got stranded due to heavy San Francisco traffic. Outside of California, in Austin Texas, a Waymo car blocked an ambulance that was responding to a shooting.

California has enacted new legislation to protect workers from AI-powered layoffs and surveillance, governor Gavin Newsom announced. The new laws are mostly aimed at companies using AI to initiate job cuts or monitor employees, not about harnessing the tech to replace workers. However, it's some of the first legislation in the nation that gives employees rights about how AI can be deployed in the workplace. "AI should expand opportunity -- not come at the expense of workers and families," said Newsom in a statement. "As this technology reshapes the workplace, California is putting people at the center."

Governor Gavin Newsom signed laws Wednesday aimed at protecting California workers from the threats of artificial intelligence, including potential job losses and workplace surveillance. The laws ban employers from using the technology to predict a worker's emotional state by using their biometric data, require employers to send written notices to workers if AI is responsible for mass layoffs and ban employers from relying on AI to decide to fire someone. The Democratic governor also signed an executive order to require state agencies to continue to refer to the technology as "artificial intelligence" instead of the term "super intelligence" as Donald Trump recently ordered US diplomats to use. "AI should expand opportunity - not come at the expense of workers and families," Newsom said in a statement. "As this technology reshapes the workplace, California is putting people at the center."

Things to Do in L.A. Tap to enable a layout that focuses on the article. An election worker puts ballots in a counting machine at the Los Angeles County Ballot Processing Center on June 3 in City of Industry. Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed bills to protect California's elections process from interference and increase transparency in campaigns. This is read by an automated voice. Please report any issues or inconsistencies here .