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Each day, more than 150 million Americans turn to video games to be entertained, to learn a skill or to spend time with family and friends. Without realizing it, they’re also providing a major boost to California’s economy.

Given our dominant positions in both entertainment and technology, it’s not surprising that California is far ahead of other states when it comes to the entertainment software industry. California is home to 27 percent of the domestic gaming industry, with more than 900 companies and 33,000 jobs – seven times as many as our nearest competitor, Texas.

Should California make Election Day a state holiday? What do you think?

South Bay Assemblyman Evan Low introduced AB 21-65 in Sacramento Monday. It would make the day of general elections in November a state holiday.

"It's important that we get as much civic participation as possible and remove as many barriers to entry so we can get a fully engaged electorate," Low said.

In 2014 California saw historically low turnout -- only 42 percent of registered voters took part in the general election.

California lawmakers are opening a new front in their war on opiate abuse.

The state had 1,925 opioid-linked overdose deaths in 2016, and thousands of emergency room visits. As documented by The Sacramento Bee’s Claudia Buck last year, the number of babies born affected by drugs has nearly doubled over seven years to more than 3,630 in 2015, according to data from state public health officials.

A state lawmaker wants to mandate a lifetime ban on possessing firearms by some Californians suffering from severe mental health issues, saying it may help reduce the number of suicides.

A bill by Assemblyman Evan Low (D-Campbell) would apply to some of those judged by the courts to be a risk to themselves and others who are approved for an involuntary 5150 hold for mental health treatment.

Currently, those people have their firearms taken away for five years, but psychiatric facilities often petition afterward for the guns to be returned, Low said.

SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) — A Bay Area legislator says that whoever California’s next governor turns out to be, housing must stay on top of the state’s priority list.

Catherine Heenan is here with more on our exclusive interview with Assemblyman Evan Low.

Click the link below to see Catherine’s full interview.

A forum on gun safety reform will take place at Saratoga's Westhope Presbyterian Church Jan. 20, featuring Assembly members Evan Low and Marc Berman, along with Rev. Erik Swanson and Saratoga Vice Mayor Manny Cappello.

Looking to combat the opioid abuse epidemic, a Silicon Valley legislator has introduced a slate of bills meant to clamp down on access to highly addictive prescription drugs.

Assemblyman Evan Low (D-Campbell) authored three measures meant to provide a better understanding of patients’ access to these medications, building on an existing state database tracking prescriptions in California.

“I don’t think there’s enough attention at the issue at hand, which is the system is not working,” Low said.

California’s housing crisis was Sacramento’s major focus in 2017. While housing affordability will remain a serious challenge for the state in 2018 and beyond, the state Legislature’s actions this year made it clear that this issue has our leaders’ full attention at last.

SACRAMENTO — Advocates and lawmakers who have pushed to end California’s backlog of untested rape kits say they are hoping the national attention to sexual harassment and assault will drive efforts to pass much-needed reforms in the state.

And, entering the New Year, they are focusing on one area in particular: California has no idea how many rape kits are sitting on shelves in police evidence or hospital storage rooms.

“We want that changed,” said Ilse Knecht, director of policy and advocacy for the Joyful Heart Foundation, a national group pushing to end backlogs.

It’s an all-too-familiar scene in Sacramento. A group of friends heads to midtown for a night of partying and drinking, but one friend has to miss out on the fun and stay sober to be the designated driver.

A new law that takes effect Jan. 1 may not only let everyone join in on the fun, but it’ll also mean more money for the bubbly.

Under Assembly Bill 711, alcohol manufacturers and licensed sellers can offer free or discounted rides to transport drinkers home safely through ride-sharing services, taxicabs or other ride providers.