Gov. Gavin Newsom and Democratic lawmakers are chipping away at the California Environmental Quality Act in the name of building more housing.

Gov. Gavin Newsom had demanded changes to address the state’s housing crisis, a philosophical shift for Democratic leaders.

A new culture of secrecy in government is taking root — among career staffers and new political appointees alike.

THE word environment per se did not appear in international law until the latter part of the 20th century. Be that as it may, ...