California's billionaire tax has enough signatures to reach the ballot, but it can still be withdrawn until 5 p.m. on June 25 as backers negotiate a 2% compromise with Gov. Gavin Newsom; the LAO says the original 5% plan could raise tens of billions while risking future income-tax losses if wealthy residents leave.

Avenal voters overwhelmingly recalled four city council members, but three have kept governing anyway. California’s attorney general has now cleared a quo warranto lawsuit to remove them, underscoring a basic democratic rule: officials do not get to ignore certified election results.

California Democrats respond to Texas Republicans' gerrymandering with a gerrymandering of their own.