The California Supreme Court held yesterday that the City of San José is not precluded by a so-called “pay-as-you-go” debt limitation enshrined in the state Constitution from financing unfunded liability in its employee retirement plans through the issuance of bonds without first seeking voter approval.

(Subscription required) The state bar is still weighing whether to continue its plan to roll out a brand new licensing test just for California applicants, after its attempt in February 2025 was marred by technology meltdowns and concern that several questions got the law wrong. The bar also admitted to using ChatGPT to generate 29 of the test’s 200 multiple choice questions.

The walkway has been a point of enduring contention between the county and a group of 27 homeowners known as the Rio Del Mar Beach Island Homeowners Association for the better part of a decade. The county has argued that paved stretch of land on the back side of the homes is a public right-of-way and point of coastal access, while the homeowners have contended that it’s a private patio space.

We spent much of the past year talking with dozens of people who’ve interacted with CARE Court as participants, petitioners and as employees trying to fulfill the program’s goals. Here’s a sampling of their experiences.