When States Go Rogue: Is California Conducting Its Own Foreign Policy?
Tess Abraham Tess Abraham

When States Go Rogue: Is California Conducting Its Own Foreign Policy?

Governor Gavin Newsom announced a new lawsuit against the Trump Administration this month – this time over the Administration’s recent foreign and economic policy decisions. What is behind this lawsuit and what ramifications could it have? Plus, what happens when one of the most powerful states in the country starts acting like its own diplomatic actor?

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Is AB 84 the End of School Choice in California?
Tess Abraham Tess Abraham

Is AB 84 the End of School Choice in California?

Assembly Bill 84 has the potential to reduce school choice across California by making key changes to public charter schools in the state. Charter school communities and local advocacy groups are already calling on parents and teachers to speak out and oppose this bill. But what exactly would it change, and why should we care?

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When Activism Goes Too Far: The Forced Exit of Point Reyes Farmers
Tess Abraham Tess Abraham

When Activism Goes Too Far: The Forced Exit of Point Reyes Farmers

Ranchers in Point Reyes, California are being forced to close their operations after over 150 years of multigenerational farming practices. This raises serious questions about our state’s environmental priorities. How should we think about the impacts of farming practices on ecosystems, and why should everyone across California pay attention to what’s happening in Point Reyes?

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California’s $6 Billion Band-Aid: The Cost of Covering Illegal Immigrants
Tess Abraham Tess Abraham

California’s $6 Billion Band-Aid: The Cost of Covering Illegal Immigrants

California’s Medi-Cal Program is facing a $6 billion shortfall for the 2024 to 2025 fiscal year. The situation is so dire that Governor Gavin Newsom has requested a loan from the state’s general fund to cover the expenses. But what’s most shocking about this is that the reason for the deficit is due to the state’s expansion of the program to provide free healthcare to illegal immigrants.

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The Cost of Homelessness: Should Refusing Help be a Crime?
Tess Abraham Tess Abraham

The Cost of Homelessness: Should Refusing Help be a Crime?

California has the highest homeless population of any state in the nation. Governor Newsom has poured over $24 billion dollars into solving the issue, yet the problem still persists. One city mayor is proposing a new solution, but it’s already receiving backlash.

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Will Self-Defense Become a Crime in California?!
Tess Abraham Tess Abraham

Will Self-Defense Become a Crime in California?!

Assembly Bill 1333 was introduced a few weeks ago as legislation that would change self-defense protections across California. But it has quickly garnered severe backlash over concerns like rising crime and physical safety. What would this bill do if passed, how would it change existing law, and should we support or oppose it?

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The Sheriff Who’s Ready to Change California
Tess Abraham Tess Abraham

The Sheriff Who’s Ready to Change California

Chad Bianco is Sheriff of Riverside County, and he just became the most prominent conservative figure to enter the race for Governor of California in 2026. Why is he running, what are his views, and does he stand a real chance as a conservative? And why should we care about an election that is still over a year away?

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Trump’s Pen vs. California Policy: Who Wins?
Tess Abraham Tess Abraham

Trump’s Pen vs. California Policy: Who Wins?

In just the first month of his Presidency, the Trump Administration has issued numerous executive orders on hot topic issues like immigration, gender, and climate change. Many of the orders signed by President Trump are directly opposed to the policies in place in California. What impact do these orders have on our state? Who has the final say?

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Life or Death: The State of Abortion Law in California
Tess Abraham Tess Abraham

Life or Death: The State of Abortion Law in California

Reproductive rights and abortion access were much debated topics of discussion during the 2024 Presidential Election. Since the overturning of Roe versus Wade, questions of what will be protected and what will be outlawed related to abortion have remained at the forefront of the national conversation. Governor Gavin Newsom has vowed to protect abortion rights in California, but just what are the laws in our state on this issue? California is well-known as a safe haven for abortion care, but how did it get to be this way and is there any possibility for change?

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Inheriting America? The Battle Over Birthright Citizenship
Tess Abraham Tess Abraham

Inheriting America? The Battle Over Birthright Citizenship

California’s Attorney General filed a lawsuit against President Trump just one day into his presidency. The issue at the forefront of the debate? Birthright citizenship. But just what IS birthright citizenship and why is California getting involved? This week we will be taking a deep dive into all things illegal immigration, the Fourteenth Amendment, and the impact on Californians!

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Playing With Fire: California’s Insurance Crisis
Tess Abraham Tess Abraham

Playing With Fire: California’s Insurance Crisis

Thousands of victims of the Palisades and Eaton fires were uninsured, leaving them completely devasted in the wake of losing everything. Insurance companies have been leaving California in what is being called a mass exodus over the past few years. Just what are their reasons for leaving?

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The Catastrophic Effects of Bad Policy: California Wildfires
Tess Abraham Tess Abraham

The Catastrophic Effects of Bad Policy: California Wildfires

Southern California faced the devastation of multiple massive, destructive wildfire outbreaks last week – some of the worst in the state’s history. We have to ask – were these fires preventable? How could they have spread so quickly and destroyed entire communities? What policy decisions allowed this – or worse, enabled it?

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How Newsom’s EV Mandates Affect YOUR Life
Tess Abraham Tess Abraham

How Newsom’s EV Mandates Affect YOUR Life

The Biden Administration just took action to approve California’s groundbreaking mandate that all new cars sold in the state in 2035 must be electric vehicles. President Trump is touting that he will rescind that approval upon his return to office. Just what is going on in California with electric vehicles? Is Newsom’s new mandate realistic and attainable with the next ten years?

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New Year, Same Hope
Tess Abraham Tess Abraham

New Year, Same Hope

Happy New Year! As 2024 ends, where is your hope rooted for 2025? How will you weather the political storms that may come our way, as both a country and as a state?

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Fighting Trump & Impacts of Sanctuary State Status
Tess Abraham Tess Abraham

Fighting Trump & Impacts of Sanctuary State Status

Governor Gavin Newsom called for an emergency session to safeguard California’s laws and values before President Trump takes office in January. One of the issues at the forefront of the conversation is our state's status as a sanctuary for undocumented immigrants. But not everyone across California is on board with the Governor’s actions, including one outspoken Sheriff in Southern California.

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AB 28: Paying the Price for Protection
Tess Abraham Tess Abraham

AB 28: Paying the Price for Protection

Assembly Bill 28 adds an 11% excise tax to the purchase of guns and ammunition in the State of California. The revenue is supposed to fund programs and initiatives to prevent gun violence, addressing the rise in gun crime we’ve seen over the past 5 years. But how exactly are these initiatives planning to increase safety, and has their effectiveness been proven? How do our second amendment rights factor into this?

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Resources to Make Your Voice Heard!
Tess Abraham Tess Abraham

Resources to Make Your Voice Heard!

Here is a compilation of the resources mentioned in previous articles for how to contact your representatives about bills you either support or oppose! Remember, even if a bill has already been passed, contacting your representatives is still an effective and necessary way to change policy in the future. After all, the members of our State Senate and Assembly are supposed to represent YOUR values and interests - let’s hold them accountable to doing that!

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