California’s political life was intense in 2022, from elections and hundreds of new bills to high-profile scandals and court decisions. Governor Gavin Newsom’s presidential ambitions were discussed, and the leak of a racist audio recording led to the resignation of several Los Angeles officials.
Lawmakers passed a series of new gun restrictions, but the courts overturned some of them — in particular, a ban on the sale of semi-automatic weapons to people under the age of 21 and provisions of the law that allowed private individuals to sue manufacturers and sellers of illegal weapons.
Below are the five biggest political stories in California in 2022.
- The Dobbs decision and California’s response
The U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, which overturned the constitutional right to abortion, sparked widespread reaction across the country.
Abortion remains legal in California, but authorities took swift action in anticipation of an influx of women from other states. Lawmakers passed a package of bills and allocated $205 million to expand access to reproductive services.
In November, state residents approved an amendment to the California Constitution enshrining the right to reproductive freedom, including the right to abortion and contraception.
The new laws also protect patient privacy, restrict the transfer of medical data to other states, allow nurse practitioners to perform early-term abortions, and eliminate mandatory investigations of stillbirths.
- Record high gas prices
For most of 2022, gasoline prices in California exceeded $6 per gallon, which was a serious blow to motorists.
In addition to traditionally high taxes and environmental fees, the price increase was linked to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the subsequent ban on Russian oil imports.
Republicans called for a suspension of the gas tax (which rose to 54 cents per gallon in July), but Democrats preferred another option: refund checks to taxpayers ranging from $250 to $1,050.
When prices jumped again in the fall and oil companies reported record profits, Governor Newsom proposed capping refinery profits and increasing the transparency of their pricing. This bill is likely to be one of the key issues in 2023.
- CARE Court Program
One of Newsom’s major policy projects has been the Community Assistance, Recovery and Empowerment Act (CARE Court) initiative, a system that allows courts to refer people with severe mental illness for treatment at the request of relatives or emergency services.
Supporters of the program consider it a humane alternative to homelessness, but human rights activists compare it to forced treatment. Municipalities also express concerns about the shortage of mental health professionals.
The first phase of the program will start in October 2023 in seven counties (including San Francisco, San Diego, and Orange). The rest of the state will join by 2025.
- Increased representation of women and LGBT people in the legislature
The November 2022 elections brought a record number of women and LGBT representatives to the California legislature.
Now, 41% of lawmakers are women, and 10% openly identify as LGBT. California became the first US state where the proportion of LGBT lawmakers matches the proportion of such residents in the population.
According to experts, this change could alter the atmosphere in parliament, promoting greater cooperation and efficiency. The new representatives intend to focus on affordable housing, childcare, and environmental justice.
- State budget volatility
For the second year in a row, California’s budget was formed with a huge surplus of about $100 billion. These funds were directed toward programs to combat homelessness, build housing, introduce universal preschool education, and expand medical care for undocumented immigrants.
However, a $25 billion deficit is expected as early as 2023. Analysts believe that serious cuts can be avoided thanks to reserve funds, but the situation highlights the instability of the state’s tax system, which is heavily dependent on the income of its wealthiest residents.
According to the Department of Finance, about 49% of tax revenue comes from the top 1% of taxpayers.
