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We keep you informed about how decisions made by California politicians and officials shape your lives, and about the forces and players that influence those decisions. We also give you the tools to participate and vote.

Editor's Picks
Gov. Gavin Newsom is surrounded by lawmakers as he signs into law his oil profit penalty plan in Sacramento on March 28, 2023. Photo by Miguel Gutierrez Jr., CalMatters Which bills did Gavin Newsom sign into new California laws?
Republican gubernatorial candidate, state Sen. Brian Dahle, right, hugs his wife, Assemblywoman Megan Dahle, in celebration at an election night gathering in Sacramento on June 7, 2022. Dahle faced-off against Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom in the November general election. Photo by Rich Pedroncelli, AP Photo Family business: Meet the Legacy Caucus in the California Legislature
Henry Sanchez, 22, who lives in Bell Gardens, waits for the Metro bus to arrive at the Norwalk Green Line Station in Norwalk on April 3, 2023. Photo by Pablo Unzueta for CalMatters Why California public transit is at a pivotal moment
Gov. Gavin Newsom addresses the media after a meeting with local leaders on homelessness in Sacramento on Nov. 18, 2022. Photo by Rahul Lal, CalMatters A failure to communicate: California government cuts back press access
The California Legislative Native American Caucus, from the left: Assemblymembers Mike A. Gipson, a Carson Democrat, Esmeralda Soria, a Merced Democrat, Sabrina Cervantes, a Riverside Democrat, Reginald Byron Jones-Sawyer, a South Los Angeles Democrat, Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon, a Lakewood Democrat and James C. Ramos, a Rancho Cucamonga Democrat, during a meeting in Sacramento on April 18, 2023. Photo by Rahul Lal, CalMatters Across the aisle: Can bipartisan caucuses change the California Legislature?
California Legislature paid trips. Illustration by Miguel Gutierrez Jr., CalMatters; iStock How free trips for California legislators lead to bills
A worshipper at the Shri Guru Ravidass Temple in Rio Linda on June 3, 2023. Photo by Miguel Gutierrez Jr., CalMatters A small world: How caste discrimination came to California
Meet the Team
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Foon Rhee
Deputy Managing Editor
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Sameea Kamal
Capitol Reporter
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Jeremia Kimelman
Data Reporter
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Alexei Koseff
Capitol Reporter
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Yue Stella Yu
Politics and Campaign Reporter
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Lynn La
Newsletter Writer
Education
Betsy DeVos squeaks through confirmation as Ed Secretary
With a historic assist from the vice president, the U.S. Senate today narrowly approved Betsy DeVos to lead the Department of Education after a series of tense hearings sparked protests and exposed bipartisan fear about her fitness to oversee the nation’s public schools.
By • February 8, 2017
Economy
Out with TPP—where does that leave Pacific Rim trade?
On his first day in office, Trump signed an executive order to withdraw from the Trans-Pacific Partnership, a pact that involved 12 Pacific Rim countries to lower or eliminate tariffs and promote exports. He has also vowed to renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement, a deal between the U.S., Mexico and Canada to remove trade barriers.
By • January 31, 2017
Environment
State environmentalists dread thought of losing fed emissions waivers
California officials have discerned a chilling signal that the Trump administration may be willing to halt the state’s unique authority to impose its own vehicle emission rules—a move that could undercut its pioneering effort to battle climate change. The threat arose during the confirmation hearing for Scott Pruitt, Trump’s choice to head the Environmental Protection Agency.
By • January 31, 2017
Justice
Assembly debates bill to further restrict guns in schools
Assemblyman Kevin McCarty (D-Sacramento) has introduced legislation that would further restrict who can possess a firearm near a California school. Assembly Bill 424 would prohibit school district superintendents or other school officials from granting written permission to individuals who wish to carry a firearm near school grounds. With a few exceptions, California law bans the possession […]
By • January 31, 2017
Politics
Behind the border: A closer look at what Trump is–and isn’t—talking about doing
Despite his executive order pushing ahead with a border wall, nobody is seriously advocating a solid wall from the Gulf of Mexico to the Pacific. A barrier already lines more than a third of the 1,900-mile southern border, and even President Trump suggests he'll leave nearly half of that without a wall. Nor are House Republicans promising to pay for much more.
By • January 30, 2017

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