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Inside Climate News: California’s Climate Reputation Tarnished by Inaction and Oil Money

By Liza Gross

For the first time since a watchdog group awarded scores for environmental action, California received a near failing grade for its lack of progress on climate change.

AP: California governor signs law making abortions cheaper

By ADAM BEAM

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a new law on Tuesday that will make abortions cheaper for people on private insurance plans, the first of more than a dozen bills the state’s Democratic leaders plan to pass this year to prepare for a potential U.S. Supreme Court ruling that could overturn Roe v. Wade.

The new conservative majority on the U.S. Supreme Court is weighing whether to overturn Roe v. Wade, the landmark 1973 ruling that banned states from outlawing abortion. If they do, at least 26 states are likely to either ban abortion outright or severely limit access, according to the Guttmacher Institute, a research and policy organization that supports abortion rights.

LA Times: Will California go big on climate action? Here’s what lawmakers want

BY SAMMY ROTH STAFF WRITER

There are currently 116 members of the California Legislature, and they were busy last week. Friday was the deadline to introduce new bills for this year’s legislative session — and like many journalists, lawmakers often need a deadline to get stuff done.

Daily Kos: State Senator Lena Gonzalez Introduces Fossil Fuel Divestment Bill in CA Legislature

By Dan Bacher

On February 17, Sen. Lena Gonzalez (D-Long Beach) introduced a bill in the California Legislature that would mandate that California’s public pension funds stop investing in fossil fuel companies.

The Press Democrat: New state senate bill would force CalPERS, CalSTRS to divest from major fossil fuel holdings

California’s two powerful public employee pension funds would be required to withdraw their investments from fossil fuel companies to help fight climate change under a state Senate bill introduced Thursday.

LAist: This California Bill Could Make Health Permits More Accessible For Street Vendors

State Senator Lena Gonzalez (D-Long Beach) has introduced SB 972, which would reform the state food code to make it easier for sidewalk vendors to obtain permits to sell food.

Long Beach Post: California bill would support street food vendors and ease current restrictions

By Laura Anaya-Morga

A state senator introduced a bill Thursday that would support California’s large population of street food vendors by removing barriers that currently prevent them from obtaining food safety permits.

Senate Bill 972, written by Senator Lena Gonzalez (D-Long Beach) would revise the California Retail Food Code to reduce illegal vending, protect public health and create a more equitable economy for street vendors.

LA Times: DMV ‘revisiting’ its approach to regulating Tesla’s public self-driving test

For years, Tesla has tested autonomous vehicle technology on public roads without reporting crashes and system failures to the California Department of Motor Vehicles, as other robot car developers are required to do under DMV regulations.