Standard Post with Image

Ninth Circuit Affirms: Racist Images Circulated Via Personal Text Not a “Matter of Public Concern” Entitled to First Amendment Protection

The Ninth Circuit recently issued an amended opinion in Adams v. County of Sacramento (9th Cir. 2005) 143 F.4th 1027, a case involving a former Sacramento County sheriff’s captain, and former Assistant Chief of Police for the City of Rancho Cordova, Kate Adams (Adams) who alleged she was forced to resign after allegations surfaced that she forwarded racist images via text message.

Read More
Standard Post with Image

California Courts Provide Important Clarifications Regarding Public Employee Whistleblower Claims

In two separate back-to-back recent decisions, California courts have given important wins to public employers in defending against employee whistleblower lawsuits under Labor Code section 1102.5.

Read More
Standard Post with Image

Legislature Clarifies Timing of School Impact Fee Collection

On June 27, 2025, Assembly Bill (AB) 121 went into effect, amending Government Code section 66007.  The same statute was amended earlier this year by Senate Bill (SB) 937, requiring collection of developer fees at the final inspection stage of development (i.e., at the time a certificate occupancy is issued) for certain residential development projects.

Read More
Standard Post with Image

School District Granted Immunity from Liability After Denying Remote Work as a Reasonable Accommodation

In a recent decision by the California Fourth District Court of Appeal, a public school district successfully asserted immunity from liability from an employee’s discrimination claims based on being denied permission to work exclusively from home after the COVID-19 pandemic as a reasonable workplace accommodation.

Read More
Standard Post with Image

Supreme Court Stays Order Requiring Reinstatement of Department of Education Employees

On July 14, 2025, in State of New York, et al. v. McMahon, the U.S. Supreme Court granted a temporary stay of a preliminary injunction issued by a federal district court which had halted the United States Department of Education (U.S. DOE) from moving forward with the reduction of staff.

Read More
Standard Post with Image

New Federal Tax Credit May Result in Greater Funding for Private Schools

In a victory for school choice advocates, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBB), signed into law by President Donald Trump on July 4, 2025, introduces a new tax credit available to individual taxpayers who make “qualified contributions” to Scholarship Granting Organizations (SGOs).

Read More
Standard Post with Image

The City of West Sacramento Sets Precedent Utilizing EIFD Bonds to Fund Infrastructure

On July 10, 2025, the City of West Sacramento’s (City) Enhanced Infrastructure Financing District No. 1 (EIFD) became the first enhanced infrastructure financing district in California to issue bonds upon its successful issuance of $57,225,000 of Tax Increment Bonds, Series 2025.

Read More
Standard Post with Image

Trump Administration Sues CDE and CIF for Title IX Violations

The United States Department of Education (Department) has determined that the California Department of Education (CDE) and the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) violated Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (Title IX) by “allowing males in girls’ sports and intimate spaces,” and preventing equality of opportunities for girls in athletics.

Read More
Standard Post with Image

CEQA Reforms: 2025 Budget Trailer Bill Adds Exemptions and Revises Review Processes

On June 30, 2025, Governor Newsom signed two budget trailer bills, Assembly Bill (AB) 130 and Senate Bill (SB) 131, that include substantial and immediately effective changes to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).

Read More