7/14 – New state law prohibits local governments from fining residents who let their lawns go brown. Legislation passed a few months ago also prohibits homeowner associations from penalizing residents for brown lawns. 7/7 – Blue Shield has excessive surpluses, more than $4 Billion, and should be offering more affordable health coverage, says an audit by state tax officials. The audit was

6/29 – California governor Jerry brown has signed into law legislation to require parents to vaccinate their children before sending them to public or private school or day-care. Currently, parents may be exempt from this requirement based on personal beliefs, but the new law would allow exemption ONLY for children who have a medical condition that makes vaccination risky. 6/21 – The

5/28 – California legislature is considering expanding MediCal (healthcare coverage for low income people) to people in the country illegally, and to those under age 19. 5/22 – California water regulators and farmers in Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta agree to plan for the farmers to reduce water use by 25%. 5/19 – L.A. City Council voted to increase minimum wage to $15 an hour