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For the last five years, Democrats have had supermajorities in both legislative chambers — leading to “yes” votes most of the time. Sometimes, however, a legislator does not vote, either due to an absence or an abstention. But because both are categorized the same way — as “No Vote Recorded” — it’s difficult for constituents […]

Good morning, Inequality Insights readers. I’m Wendy Fry.  Californians are set to vote next month on Proposition 36, which aims to reduce drug-related crimes by steering repeat offenders toward treatment rather than prison. The ballot initiative would also increase punishments for certain drug and theft offenses. It appears likely to pass, with polls showing voters […]

With Democrats firmly in control of statewide offices and the Legislature, California isn’t often seen as a “battleground state.” But California could decide which party controls Congress — and both parties and their allies are spending tens of millions of dollars to seize the opportunity. As CalMatters politics reporter Yue Stella Yu explains, outside political […]

Elon Musk, the tech mogul who runs Tesla, said in December that diversity, equity and inclusion efforts “must die.” Now, two civil rights groups are calling for the nation’s largest public pension fund to divest from the electric vehicle maker. On Wednesday, LatinoJustice and the National Institute for Workers’ Rights sent a letter to State […]

From CalMatters economy reporter Levi Sumagaysay: Tens of thousands of California ride-hailing drivers, and possibly more, could eventually get back pay after a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision that clears the way for the state and some cities to proceed with their lawsuits against Uber and Lyft. The two companies had argued that because their […]

From CalMatters Capitol reporter Alexei Koseff: Only a few months delayed, Gov. Gavin Newsom finally got to take his victory lap over the oil industry on Monday. Surrounded by Democratic lawmakers and other supporters in the state Capitol rotunda, Newsom signed Assembly Bill X2-1, his proposal to address gasoline price spikes, which he called “a […]

After the Watergate scandal, California voters approved a ballot measure that created the Fair Political Practices Commission — an independent, nonpartisan agency to police election campaigns and investigate political ethics violations.  Fifty years later, there are serious questions about how well it’s doing its job. CalMatters politics reporter Yue Stella Yu and data reporter Jeremia […]

Good morning, Inequality Insights readers. I’m Wendy Fry.  This week’s dispatch comes from CalMatters’ water reporter Rachel Becker. Becker reported this week on how the San Francisco Bay-Delta, California’s largest estuary, is facing severe environmental challenges, including low water flows, algal blooms, and urban and agricultural runoff. These issues are particularly affecting low-income immigrants from […]

A bill pushed by Gov. Gavin Newsom to curb gas price spikes is likely to get one step closer to his desk today. After clearing two state Senate committees this week, the measure to require oil refineries to keep a minimum supply of fuel is up for a floor vote. Senate President Pro Tem Mike […]

From CalMatters economy reporter Levi Sumagaysay: Gov. Gavin Newsom delivered a mostly upbeat message at an economic summit in Sacramento on Wednesday, especially when he was talking about California’s “resilient” economy. Despite what many headlines say about California’s supposed decline, “the good news is we’re still the fifth-largest economy in the world,” he told several […]