August 5, 2019

California holds itself up as a model to other states seeking ways to take the politics out of redrawing district maps.

Elections

California stretches applicant deadline to draw political districts—pool’s too white, too male

The California State Auditor extended the deadline to apply for a seat on the California Citizens Redistricting Commission to August 19.

By Ben Christopher • August 5, 2019

An aerAn aerial image of Portland, Oregon, which just passed significant rent control protections. Photo by Chronus via Wikimedia Commons.

Housing

Podcast: Oregon tenants did this to win renter protection—is California next?

California tenant advocates flummoxed by reluctant Democratic lawmakers have a new north star to guide their political strategy: Oregon.

By Matt Levin • August 5, 2019

Commentary

What’s Trump hiding? Newsom was right to insist presidential candidates release their tax returns

Garry South, Democratic consultant: Extraordinary times demand extraordinary measures. Gov. Newsom was right–morally, legally and politically—to sign Senate Bill 27 requiring presidential candidates to release their tax returns to appear on the primary ballot. Good for him for being a Democratic governor with the courage to do so, and to take the resulting flak.

By Guest Commentary • August 5, 2019

An elephant sitting in a hammock on the beach and look at sea.

WhatMatters

Gas taxes, crisis beds, a gun tax, a Reagan remembrance, a GOP loss, and CCPOA’s $2 million headache

California leads the way in gas taxes. Cut in Sonoma County crisis beds alarms law enforcement. Regan son-in-law urges perspective on racist comment.

By Dan Morain and Barbara Harvey • August 5, 2019

Commentary

Derailing the bullet train

Legislators are working on a plan to shift money from California's bedraggled bullet train project to improvements in commuter transit.

By Dan Walters • August 5, 2019