Governor Newsom has signed into law the Fair Share from Big Corporations Act to protect families and ensure that big businesses pay their fair share of the cost of their employee health benefits.
Following Democratic gubernatorial candidate Xavier Becerra’s recent comments in support of California’s Fair Share proposal and New Jersey’s approval of a similar employer assessment to help fund Medicaid, Senator John Laird, chair of the Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee, issued a statement.
SB 963, authored by Senator Laird, passed the California Legislature today with bipartisan support and now heads to Governor Gavin Newsom’s desk for consideration. The legislation brings greater clarity and predictability to the coastal development permitting process by establishing consistent timelines for the California Coastal Commission to act on appeals of Coastal Development Permits.
The 2026-27 California State budget was passed in the State Senate today, 29-9-2. The budget ensures the state has a plan to responsibly balance the budget for the future while keeping essential programs funded, like childcare, CalFood, and affordable housing.
Senator Laird, Chair of the Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee, released a statement after the Senate approved budget trailer bills, including SB 110, SB 122, and SB 125, that help implement the broader budget agreement and support the state’s efforts to balance the budget, reduce the structural deficit, and protect essential services.
The California Legislature reached a two-party deal on the 2026-27 budget. The bill will now go to the floor for a vote in both the Senate and the Assembly before heading to the Governor for negotiations.