WhatMatters

Newsletters

California voters will have a chance to vote on an $8.9 billion water bond that would pay for environmental restoration, clean drinking water and help rebuild the Friant-Kern Canal, damaged by subsidence.

By Dan Morain • July 16, 2018

Sifting through the debris of the 2017 wildfire in Santa Rosa. Photo via California National Guard

Newsletters

Who’s going to pay for the fires

California legislators confront the question of how to pay for fire damage. Should PG&E be relieved of costs related to devastating 2017 wildfires, and should the law be changed for future fires?

By Dan Morain • July 13, 2018

Newsletters

Why greenhouse gas emissions fell

The Air Resources Board announced greenhouse gas emissions fell in 2016, even as fuel consumption increased. The main reasons: Greater use of solar, wind and hydropower.

By Dan Morain • July 12, 2018

Newsletters

Altering the balance of campaign power

Stockton Mayor Michael Tubbs, not yet 28, urges 'bold and tangible' solutions to help get people to turn out to vote, including $500 universal basic income payments to working poor.

By Dan Morain • July 11, 2018

Newsletters

Why rich people leave California. Or don’t

New research shows California's high income tax rate has not driven wealthy people to move to low-tax states, despite low-tax advocates' claim to the contrary.

By Dan Morain • July 10, 2018

Newsletters

Be prepared to reduce water use. Here’s why

California Water Resources Control board is on the verge of ordering significant reductions in water use to save fish in what chairwoman Felicia Marcus calls a crisis.

By Dan Morain • July 9, 2018

Supporters of California's sanctuary laws demonstrate at the federal courthouse in Sacramento. Photo by Robbie Short for CALmatters

Newsletters

Why judge upheld California’s ‘sanctuary state’ law

A federal judge upheld California's sanctuary state law, saying the 10th Amendment doesn't permit the federal government to force states to help enforce federal law.

By Dan Morain • July 6, 2018

Newsletters

What was left out of the privacy legislation

Why California's new privacy legislation will allow consumers to sue over data breaches by business, but not by government.

By Dan Morain • July 5, 2018

Newsletters

Soda ducks one tax, but may face another

Thanks to legislation, the soda industry averted new local taxes, but it could face an initiative that would impose a new statewide tax.

By Dan Morain • July 3, 2018

Newsletters

A sorry piece of history; Framing gas tax initiative

California officials played an integral role in Japanese internment during World War II, as told in a new online exhibit. The gas tax initiative fight revs up.

By Dan Morain • July 2, 2018