Elections

The newest member of the Legislature is Vanessa Delgado, a Montebello Democrat who will be able to cast critical votes for the next three weeks. And then—poof.

Capitol

Meet California’s shortest-serving state senator in more than 100 years

In probably the strangest outcome of California’s elections so far this year, a new state senator was sworn in Monday—with just three weeks left to go in the legislative session.

By

Laurel Rosenhall

• August 13, 2018

Leaders of the Proposition 6 ballot initiative speak to the press outside the capitol building. In the front are Carl DeMaio, chairman of Reform California; John Cox, Republican candidate for governor; Jon Coupal, President of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association. Behind them are supporters with "Stop the Gas Tax" signs.

Elections

Is the Republican story about repealing the gas tax hike too good to be true?

California Republicans want to repeal a recent hike in the gas tax and say that drivers can have smoother roads, more reliable public transit—and lower taxes too. Should voters believe them?

By

Ben Christopher

• August 10, 2018

Our detailed graphic of California's transportation dollars—where they come from and where they go.

Economy

How does California really spend your gas tax dollars? See for yourself.

Where do all those gasoline taxes and car fees you pay actually go? We tried to answer that question. Believe it or not, this interactive data octopus is the simple version.

By

Ben Christopher

• August 10, 2018

Elections

Yes, a political action committee exists to legalize ferrets

A political action committee wants ferrets legalized as pets in California. Ferret PAC's Patrick Wright hopes Gavin Newsom notices his group's $125 donation.

By

Dan Morain

• August 3, 2018

California Democratic gubernatorial candidate Antonio Villaraigosa in the offices of Grassroots Lab in Sacramento, California, November 16, 2017.

Elections

Where charter schools’ campaign money went in the gubernatorial primary

Charter school advocates financed Antonio Villaraigosa's campaign for governor with more than $22 million.

By

Dan Morain

• August 3, 2018

Elections

Newsom taps small donors. Cox wins retirees

Gavin Newsom ended June with $11.1 million in his campaign account, compared with John Cox’s $1.46 million, a total puffed up by $500,000 of Cox’s own wealth delivered on the last day of June.

By

Dan Morain

• August 2, 2018

Barack Obama (left) and Buffy Wicks are shown in this composite photo.

Elections

Why Obama endorsed in a California Assembly race

Buffy Wicks was an early employee of Barack Obama’s first presidential run and an integral part of the White House effort to generate support for Obamacare.

By

Dan Morain

• August 2, 2018

Former President Barack Obama made a wave of endorsements today. Photo by Pete Souza

Elections

Obama wades into California midterm—with a few surprises

Barack Obama endorsed 81 Democrats across the country today—ten in California. Some were obvious choices. Others—both of omission and commission—not so much.

By

Ben Christopher

• August 1, 2018

Elections

Kentucky’s governor stumps for John Cox

Kentucky Gov. Matt Bevin exhorted conservative donors at a Koch Network gathering earlier this week to donate to Republican gubernatorial candidate John Cox, and called Democrat Gavin Newsom a “dirtbag,” a “joke” and an “embarrassment to public service."

By

Dan Morain

• August 1, 2018

A canal in San Joaquin Valley is shown. Voters will decide on a $8.9 billion water bond.

Elections

Water and drought top California voters’ environmental concerns

A statewide poll shows that voters prioritize water storage projects and addressing the drought above other environmental concerns.

By

Dan Morain

• July 25, 2018