January 2023

Health

Why hospitals are struggling to meet earthquake safety deadline

It’s been close to 30 years since California enacted the bulk of its seismic safety standards, but hospitals continue to ask for more time and flexibility. They argue that many facilities, especially smaller ones, can’t afford the retrofitting or replacement costs.

By

Ana B. Ibarra

• January 9, 2023

Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-California, waits for the results of a twelfth ballot for the speakership on the fourth day of the 118th Congress at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 06, 2023. Photo by Craig Hudson for Sipa USA, via Reuters

Commentary

What Kern County and California can expect from House Speaker Kevin McCarthy

With Bakersfield Republican Kevin McCarthy as House Speaker, voters in Kern County and across California can expect more theatrics and little relief for our most pressing issues.

By

Guest Commentary

• January 9, 2023

A drone view of residents looking a tree that fell during a winter storm with high winds in Sacramento on Jan. 8, 2023. Photo by Fred Greaves, Reuters

WhatMatters

Deadly deluge: California flooding risk rises

Programming note: I’m Sameea Kamal, politics reporter at CalMatters, and I’ll be in your inbox on Mondays for the next few weeks. You may have seen my bylines covering the Capitol or the 2021 redistricting process. Reply to this email to let me know what’ll make your Monday newsletter the most informative. Please also add […]

By

Sameea Kamal

• January 9, 2023

Smoke stacks over a blue background with smoke coming out.

Commentary

California’s carbon neutrality plan lacks vital detail

The California Air Resources Board's "scoping plan" for achieving carbon neutrality by 2045 is long on data and promises and short on all-important details.

By

Dan Walters

• January 9, 2023

Students walk down Telegraph Avenue with the Den student apartments and Maximino Martinez Commons visible in the background on Feb. 3, 2022. Photo by Thalia Juarez for CalMatters

Commentary

How environmental law is misused to stop housing

Two recent appellate court cases underscore the chaotic role that the California Environmental Quality Act plays in construction of much-needed housing.

By

Dan Walters

• January 8, 2023

CalMatters en Español

Gavin Newsom, Parte 2: el gobernador inicia su segundo mandato como líder de los liberales de Estados Unidos

EN RESUMEN Después de encabezar una “Marcha por la Democracia” en el segundo aniversario de la insurrección del Capitolio de EE.UU., Gavin Newsom se presentó a sí mismo como un guerrero partidista en el escenario nacional, pero unificador en California en su segundo discurso inaugural. Read this article in English. Cuando el sol finalmente se […]

By

Alexei Koseff

• January 6, 2023

Gov. Gavin Newsom marches with a group of ticketed supporters towards the state Capitol on Jan. 6, 2023. The governor's campaign touted the event as a “March for Democracy”, as it's being held on the two-year anniversary of when supporters of former President Donald Trump stormed the U.S. Capitol. Photo by Miguel Gutierrez Jr., CalMatters

Politics

Gavin Newsom, the sequel: Governor starts second term as leader of liberal America

After leading a "March for Democracy" on the second anniversary of the U.S. Capitol insurrection, Gavin Newsom portrayed himself as a partisan warrior on the national stage, but a unifier in California in his second inaugural speech.

By

Alexei Koseff

• January 6, 2023

Martin Lopez, 57, a hotel employee and Unite Here Local 11 union member, attended the demonstration to support academic workers, he says. Hundreds of UC academic workers picketed for the 5th straight week at UCLA in Los Angeles on Dec. 14, 2022. The demonstration was held near the UCLA Meyer and Renee Luskin Conference Center where the UC Board of Regents were meting. Pablo Unzueta for CalMatters

Higher Education

Six takeaways for Californians after the UC graduate student worker strike

While the graduate student workers that went on strike from the UC system for six weeks won concessions like increased pay, a substantial portion of the workers are still dissatisfied and the contracts are relatively short, so tough negotiations may resume again in 2024.

By

Mikhail Zinshteyn

• January 6, 2023

California Governor, Gavin Newsom walks through the assembly chamber with California Controller Malia Cohen during the opening session of the California Legislature in Sacramento on Dec. 5, 2022. Photo by José Luis Villegas, AP Photo/Pool

WhatMatters

Newsom to lead anti-Jan. 6 march to Capitol

Over the next few days, very different events will take place in downtown Sacramento. Today, Gov. Gavin Newsom is set to march to the state Capitol with a group of ticketed supporters before being sworn into office for his second term, according to an invitation enclosed in a late December campaign email. About 1,000 people […]

By

Emily Hoeven

• January 6, 2023

El Capitolio estatal en Sacramento el 17 de noviembre de 2022. Foto de Miguel Gutierrez Jr., CalMatters

CalMatters en Español

Un vistazo al Capitolio del estado de California: cómo funciona su gobierno

Read this explainer in English. Desde el principio, ha habido un gobierno estatal. Incluso antes de que existiera un gobierno federal, hubo una colección de estados organizados bajo los Artículos de la Confederación en 1781. Pero las 13 entidades separadas con diferentes intereses pronto se dieron cuenta de que necesitaban un organismo global para hacer […]

By

Sameea Kamal

and

Jeremia Kimelman

• January 5, 2023