Daily Headlines February 21, 2025
We scan major news sources* and compile selected articles to keep you up-to-date on current issues affecting California business – the economy, health care, environment, transportation and more. Receive Daily Headlines by Email
* Daily Headlines will be taking a short break, starting the week of February 24. Return date to be determined.
Today’s Top Story
CalChamber Celebrates Teichert as Its First 100-Year Member
The California Chamber of Commerce proudly honors Teichert, a distinguished leader in the construction and construction materials industries, as its first-ever 100-year member. This milestone highlights Teichert’s unwavering commitment to both its industry and the business community, showcasing the long-term value of CalChamber membership.
Top California News
- California’s Controversial New Fuel Rules Rejected by State Legal Office
California’s new Low Carbon Fuel Standard has been stalled because it lacks ”clarity.” The new standard, which offers incentives for cleaner fuels, is highly controversial because it would raise gas prices. CalMatters (Subscription required)
- Capitol Briefs: Bills, Budgets and Bigfoot
Bills, bills, bills: Today is the bill introduction deadline in each legislative chamber, and even though each lawmaker has been limited to 35 bill intros this year – down from 50 last year – there will be plenty of measures for legislators to ponder the rest of this session. With that in mind, here is a (very) small sampling of bills introduced this week alone. Capitol Weekly (No subscription required)
- Trump Administration Threatens $4 Billion in Funding for California High-Speed Rail
The Trump administration has launched an investigation into California’s high-speed rail project in what could be the first step in clawing back the $4 billion promised by the Biden administration to build out the first section of the line, from Merced to Bakersfield. The San Jose Mercury News (Subscription required)
- California Regulators Suggest Ending Rooftop Solar Subsidies for Homeowners
…Two years after the state slashed incentives for households with rooftop solar panels, regulators are recommending the state end solar subsidies paid for through utility bills.
Instead, the California Public Utilities Commission proposed that Gov. Gavin Newsom and the state legislature find another source of money to compensate utility customers who invest in rooftop solar panels and infuse power into the electric grid — an especially critical function on hot summertime days when energy demand soars. San Francisco Chronicle (Subscription required)
Top National, International News
- U.S. Consumer Confidence Falls Back on Fears of Tariff-Induced Price Increases
U.S. consumer confidence slid backward this month, reflecting expectations that tariffs proposed by the Trump administration on goods imports will lead to rising prices. The Wall Street Journal (Subscription required)
- ‘Enormous Fear’: Housing Industry Braces for Trump Tariffs, Workforce Cuts
The U.S. housing market was already struggling under the weight of high mortgage rates and a lack of supply. Now, President Donald Trump’s threats to impose punishing tariffs on lumber and potentially fire thousands of employees at housing agencies could deal a severe blow to the industry. Politico (No subscription required)
- January Home Sales Fall as High Mortgage Rates, Prices Freeze Out Would-Be Buyers
Sales of previously occupied U.S. homes fell in January as rising mortgage rates and prices put off many would-be homebuyers despite a wider selection of properties on the market. The Associated Press (No subscription required)
- Senate Republicans Approve Budget Framework, Pushing Past Democratic Objections After All-Night Vote
Republican senators pushed a $340 billion budget framework to passage early Friday, chugging through an all-night session and Democratic opposition in a step toward unleashing money the Trump administration says it needs for mass deportations and border security that top their agenda. The Associated Press (No subscription required)
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