thoth.

The States

Policy Across the Fifty States

Governors, senators, and city halls are shaping American policy as much as Washington. Select a state to see its leadership, congressional delegation, and the most consequential actions of the past year.

California

Governor

Gavin Newsom (D)

Legislature

Democratic supermajority

Capital

Sacramento

Congressional Delegation

Alex Padilla

U.S. Senator

D

Former California Secretary of State, appointed to fill Kamala Harris's Senate seat in 2021. Focuses on immigration reform, voting rights, and tech regulation.

  • Led effort to expand DACA protections
  • Authored Electoral Count Reform Act provisions
  • Championed STEM workforce investment

Laphonza Butler

U.S. Senator (appointed)

D

Appointed in October 2023 to fill the vacancy left by Dianne Feinstein. First Black woman to represent California in the Senate. Did not run for a full term.

  • Appointed to fill Senate vacancy Oct 2023
  • Advocated for maternal health legislation

Recent Legislation

No recent housing bills found for California.

Leadership Activity — Past Year

Cities in Focus

Los Angeles

City Council passed a landmark tenant anti-harassment ordinance in 2024 and is advancing a citywide AI procurement transparency ordinance requiring bias audits for any AI used in city services.

San Francisco

Board of Supervisors approved zoning reforms allowing higher density near transit corridors — a significant shift after years of restrictive land use policy.

San Diego

Pursuing a first-in-the-nation municipal desalination expansion policy to address long-term water security, with state environmental review underway.