New CA laws, state workers rally against RTO. Sacramento's top stories on July 1
From new state laws hitting the books to a state worker's returning to office, Sacramento saw a busy news day Wednesday.
Here’s a quick digest:
- Ten new California laws took effect Wednesday, including a gas tax increase of 2.2 cents per gallon under Senate Bill 1, bringing the excise tax to 63.4 cents. Other changes cover self-driving car citations, school cellphone bans, all-gender restrooms and standardized food date labels.
- More than 2,500 union employees and state workers rallied at the Capitol on the first day of Gov. Gavin Newsom’s return-to-office order. SEIU Local 1000 President Anica Walls said the Newsom administration rejected the union’s telework and pay proposals, offering only a previously negotiated 3% salary increase in 2027 instead of the union’s requested 20% raise.
- The Sacramento Kings agreed to sign former Toronto Raptors forward Jonathan Mogbo to a two-way contract. The 24-year-old power forward, drafted 31st overall in 2024, averaged 6.2 points and 4.9 rebounds in 20 minutes per game over 63 games as a rookie with Toronto. The Kings also are signing guard Adam Flagler to a two-way contract. The 26-year-old shooting guard spent two years with the Oklahoma City Thunder organization, earning an NBA championship ring in 2025 before playing for the Austin Spurs last season.
This story was originally published July 1, 2026 at 5:22 PM.