State Gears Up for Online Tax Enforcement
Starting on Saturday, California shoppers will begin to pay tax on their online purchases from out-of-state retailers. California is the eighth state to pass a so-called "Amazon tax," named after the mega e-tailer which doesn't collect state sales taxes. Still, as tax collectors ramp up for enforcement, most of the sales tax owed will remain uncollected.
After Protests, Changes in Prison Isolation Rules
State corrections officials are moving forward with a new plan for handling prison gangs, including changing rules that have kept some inmates locked in isolation for decades. The state operates Security Housing Units at four prisons -- and they were the focus of two widespread hunger strikes last year.