A stone sign reading “Cesar E. Chavez Memorial Plaza” stands in a landscaped urban area, with smaller text noting the City of Sacramento Department of Parks and Recreation. Sunlight casts soft shadows across the engraved lettering, while nearby buildings and greenery appear in the background.
César E. Chávez Memorial Plaza in Sacramento on March 18, 2026. Photo by Miguel Gutierrez Jr., CalMatters

I’m CalMatters reporter Ryan Sabalow, and I’m pinch hitting for Lynn today. 

No more César Chávez Day, California.

Democratic leaders said Thursday they’re going to fast-track legislation to rename the March 31 holiday “Farmworkers Day.”

The move came a day after the New York Times published a bombshell investigation into allegations that the once-beloved farmworker’s union organizer had molested or raped several women. One of them is Dolores Huerta, who founded the United Farm Workers union with Chávez.

The fallout from the allegations continued elsewhere in California as local leaders scrambled to figure out how to remove Chávez from the myriad streets, monuments and other landmarks and institutions that bear his name. 

Read more about how that effort to scrub Chávez from California is playing out here.

Join CalMatters on April 22 in Pasadena for a conversation on rebuilding after the devastating January 2025 Los Angeles wildfires. As communities shift from emergency response to long-term recovery, experts will examine how workforce shortages are shaping rebuilding efforts and what it will take to strengthen the skilled trades pipeline. From education and training to breaking down barriers to entry, this discussion will explore how to connect more Californians to stable, well-paying jobs that support recovery and long-term regional resilience. Register today.

Other Stories You Should Know

Sierra snow melts away fast

An aerial view of a large dam spanning a deep blue reservoir, surrounded by rolling green hills covered in trees and shrubs. The water extends into multiple inlets and peninsulas, creating an intricate shoreline. In the background, snow-capped mountains rise above the horizon under a clear blue sky. A hydroelectric facility and other infrastructure are visible near the base of the dam, along with winding roads leading through the landscape.
An aerial view of Shasta Dam in Shasta County on May 9, 2024. Photo by Sara Nevis, California Department of Water Resources

California may have gotten soggy during its brief rainy season, but most of that water came in warm storms that didn’t translate into deep snow in the high country. Now, it’s melting off at a rapid pace thanks to unseasonal heat.

This year’s snowpack ranks among the 10 lightest on record — and it’s likely to worsen as temperatures climb. From early to mid-March, the snowpack has been disappearing at a rate of roughly 1% per day.

That’s bad news for the state’s water supply – and it portends a potentially dangerous wildfire season during our blast-furnace summer and early fall. 

Read more about the state’s water supply here.

California lawmakers’ luxury freebies

A silhouetted person stands near a large window while talking on a phone. Outside, the yellow tower of the Tower Bridge rises above trees and buildings in the distance.
A lobbyist talks on his phone at the state Capitol in Sacramento on Sept. 12, 2025. Photo by Fred Greaves for CalMatters

Trips overseas. Free spa treatments. Ritzy resort stays in Hawaii. Fancy dinners and premium seats at sporting events.

These are just some of the freebies California’s lawmakers reported receiving last year in the mandatory reports they’re required to file with state ethics regulators. 

And it’s all perfectly legal under California laws, despite giving powerful moneyed interest groups unfettered access to lawmakers that an average voter would never have.

Lawmakers have long insisted these freebies are all above board, and they don’t unduly influence their behavior. But good-government watchdog groups say lobbying outfits spend millions of dollars on lawmakers’ perks for a reason: It buys them influence.

Learn more here about what lawmakers reported.

And lastly: Pension perks

A close frame of a person wearing a CHP police uniform, with straight brimmed hat. In the background, more officers in the same uniform are out of focus, but visible.
The California Highway Patrol hosts a swearing-in ceremony for more than 100 new officers at the CHP Academy in Sacramento on Sept. 13, 2024. Photo by Florence Middleton, CalMatters

CalMatters justice editor Adam Ashton and video strategy director Robert Meeks have a new video segment on how some powerful public safety unions are lobbying for new pension perks. It’s part of our partnership with PBS SoCal. Watch it here. SoCalMatters airs Friday 5:58 p.m. on PBS SoCal.

Other things worth your time:

Some stories may require a subscription to read.

Billionaires have a favorite in the California governor’s race — and it’s not even close // San Francisco Chronicle

After highly critical review, Fresno State Foundation shares reform plans // Fresno Bee

A shrinking Colorado River is forcing farms to change // High Country News

The West probably hasn’t seen the worst of this week’s heat wave // New York Times

SFPD reaches tentative deal with city for 14% raise over next four years // NBC Bay Area

California’s proposed billionaire tax gains majority support in new poll, with a partisan split on voter ID // Los Angeles Times

Fewer people are riding the San Diego trolley. Officials blame the unexpected drop on ICE and affordability // San Diego Union Tribune

Bay Area Rep. John Garamendi confirms Travis Air Force Base used by US in Iran War // KQED

New transparency ordered for LA County payouts to executives // LAist

Lynn La is the newsletter writer for CalMatters, focusing on California’s top political, policy and Capitol stories every weekday. She produces and curates WhatMatters, CalMatters’ flagship daily newsletter...