(Subscription required) California Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero on Wednesday praised Gov. Gavin Newsom's revised 2026-27 budget proposal, saying the governor's continued support for the judicial branch would help preserve access to justice even as the state confronts mounting fiscal pressures.

Div. One of the Fourth District Court of Appeal has held that a notation on the memo line of a check made out to the plaintiff that references a loan between the parties for which repayment was years overdue is insufficient to qualify as a clear, unconditional written acknowledgement of an ongoing obligation to revive the promise to pay in the face of an expired statute of limitations.

Voters in the small rural city cast their votes April 28 to recall four of their five council members following an unsuccessful attempt by the city to halt the special election. The ballots were sequestered pending an appeal, pausing counts while the court reviewed the election’s legality.

"As the state faces significant budget challenges, I appreciate Governor Newsom’s continued support of the judicial branch to protect access to justice for all. This includes increased funding for operational costs, court interpreters, and court-appointed counsel. We look forward to working with the Governor’s Administration and the Legislature to finalize the budget in the coming weeks."