Sticker shock is coming to 350-thousand California homeowners insured by Allstate. The company has been approved to raise rates by an average of 34%. That’s the highest increase here in the past three years. The change all depends where customers live. Some could actually see rates drop by as much as 57% while at least one bill will soar nearly 65%. Allstate is only renewing policies, not writing new ones. State Farm is also asking the state to approve a 30-percent rate hike.
A judge is striking down Sonoma County’s latest rules governing well and groundwater use. Sonoma County Superior Court Judge Bradford DeMeo says the rules violate state environmental law. The controversial rules have been in place for 16 months and affect more than 300 square-miles of land, which is nearly a fifth of the county. It’s unclear how the ruling will impact permitting for new wells. The county says it is reviewing the ruling, which comes after environmental groups argued heavy groundwater pumping is harming local streams and aquatic wildlife.
The holiday travel rush is starting today across California. As usual, most people are driving to their Labor Day destination. That means the freeways will be busier than ever despite the state having the second highest gas prices in the nation. Triple-A shows it’s now costing an average of four-62 to fill up, which is far less than the five-29 at this time last year. Record crowds are also expected to pack airports for a flight out of town.
United Airlines is expecting its busiest Labor Day weekend on record. And it comes as flight attendants just approved a possible strike. Many were seen picketing at 20 airports across the country yesterday including 3 in California. They all cheered when vote results were announced. The flight attendants are demanding raises, flexible schedules, work rule improvements, job security, retirement and more.
California is one step away from cracking down on cell phones in class. Legislators passed a bipartisan bill yesterday that requires school districts to limit when students can use their devices on campus or ban phones altogether. Schools would be given until next July to have policies in place and must update every five years. Governor Newsom is expected to sign the bill. He already called for a statewide ban, saying children should be fully engaged and free from distractions and pressures of social media.
Hundreds of the state’s highest needs schools are getting extra help. They’ll be staffed with state-funded and trained literacy coaches and reading specialists to support students and teachers. Governor Newsom celebrated the move yesterday while welcoming kids back to class in Sacramento. He says California is doubling down on its commitment to young learners by ensuring that no student falls behind in their reading.
California is marking another milestone towards clean transportation. The number of electric vehicle chargers just passed 150 thousand. More than 24 thousand of those were installed within the first six months of this year. The update comes weeks after the state posted its second highest ever market share in zero-emission vehicle sales. The goal is to have all new cars sold by 2035 no longer emitting exhaust gas and other pollutants.
Governor Gavin Newsom is considering calling a special legislative session this fall to focus on proposed new oil and gas regulations. Details are not clear yet, but reports suggest the idea has been pitched to Senate Pro Tem Mike McGuire and Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas. Democratic lawmakers are discussing the request. In early 2023, Newsom called for a special meeting and a new law was passed that gives regulators the authority to impose financial penalties on fuel companies if they overcharge California drivers.
SAG-AFTRA is celebrating after a California bill regulating artificial intelligence in the local entertainment industry was passed. On Tuesday, the State Senate passed Assembly Bill 2602, which would protect performers from unauthorized AI replicas. The national executive director and chief negotiator of the performer’s union said this is a “huge step forward,” adding that the measure is “one of our top legislative priorities.” Governor Gavin Newsom will now decide whether to sign the legislation into law.
California may be getting new state symbols. Two bills aimed at designating a state crab and slug are closer to becoming law. A measure that would recognize the banana slug as an emblem of the state has been sent to Governor Gavin Newsom. Another bill, which is still undergoing Legislative review, would make the Dungeness crab the official state crustacean. The current legislative session ends on Saturday, giving Newsom a deadline of September 30th to sign any bills that are passed by the legislature.
The Gulch fire is burning in Sonoma County. It started yesterday afternoon along Stage Gulch Road near Lakeville Highway in Lakeville. So far it has destroyed 4 structures, damaged 1, and burned 20 acres. No one has been injured. CalFire says it’s 40% contained. The cause of the fire is under investigation. Meanwhile, containment on the Park Fire burning to the north is now 92% contained. It continues to be the largest wildfire we’ve seen this year burning over 429,000 acres across 4 counties.
