California Democrats approved a $351.7 billion budget Monday they said serves as a counterweight to federal spending cuts pushed by President Donald Trump while safeguarding the state’s financial future. In a statement, the outgoing governor said that it would leave his successors with a state government that is “fiscally sound, economically dominant, and ready for whatever comes next.”

Governor Newsom, Senate President pro Tempore Limón, and Assembly Speaker Rivas announce a balanced budget agreement  — with zero deficit this year, and next — that maintains California’s progress, prepares for the future, and protects vulnerable communities from Trump’s cruel assaults on the state.

(Subscription required) Gov. Gavin Newsom on Friday announced his appointment of 14 Superior Court judges, including three who were elected in the June 2 primary and will be able to take the bench early, rather than waiting until January. The appointments included one in El Dorado County, four in Los Angeles County, three in San Diego County, two in Orange County, one in Santa Barbara County, two in Santa Clara County and one in Stanislaus County.

(Subscription required) Finding the statute unambiguous, a Northern District magistrate judge ruled that Section 632.7 does not require consent to record calls when one party uses a VoIP system instead of a landline, cordless phone or cellphone.