In summary
Highlighting all of CALmatters’ work over the past week
Recent Articles
Democratic dread: Party tries to keep California’s odd election rules from denying them the U.S. House
By Ben Christopher
California Democrats know exactly the trouble they’re in: They have too many candidates, it’s too late to back down, and they risk cancelling each other out. Now the party’s scrambling to try to ensure this quirk in election rules doesn’t cost the party its opportunity to retake the House of Representatives.
What a $500,000 home looks like around California–and how it shapes where we move
By Matt Levin
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Billionaires vs teachers union: Charter school fight amps up race for California governor
By Laurel Rosenhall
Charter school supporters may be an effective counterbalance to the prevailing influence public-employee unions have long exerted on Democratic politics in California. But the billions in campaign donations by pro-charter tycoons also points to the outsized sway personal wealth can have on elections.
Crowded, crumbling classrooms—will one-time cash infusion be enough to fix the University of California?
By Felicia Mello
As state funding has decreased and enrollment has soared, University of California campuses are struggling to deal with many instances of overcrowded lectures, deteriorating buildings and delayed construction. Now the governor’s offering $100 million for upgrades. UC says it’s not nearly enough.
Test yourself: What does half a million buy you in other parts of California?
By Matt Levin
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WHATmatters
Why is Cole Harris spending $2.2 million?
By Dan Morain
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Chilly reception awaits Cristina Garcia
By Dan Morain
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Tesla is on guard for unfriendly legislators
By Dan Morain
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What’s next for aid-in-dying law?
By Dan Morain
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Don’t bet on sports wagering yet
By Dan Morain
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Seeking to help people in need
By Dan Morain
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Commentary
California’s primary vote could be decisive
By Dan Walters
California’s June 5 primary election could be more than decisive than usual. Voters could effectively make Democrat Gavin Newsom the next governor by giving Republican John Cox a second-place finish and could spoil Democratic hopes of making big congressional gains in the state.
Prison inmates are down, but costs still going up
By Dan Walters
Under pressure from federal courts, California has sharply reduced numbers of inmates in state prisons. However, “corrections” costs are still rising and California is now spending $75,000 per year per inmate.
Dan Walters Commentary Roundup 05/18/2018
By Dan Walters
A collection of commentaries by Dan Walters over the past week.
Lots of candidates, lots of uncertainty
By Dan Walters
With dozens of candidates for the U.S. Senate and governor this year, handicapping the June 5 primary election is difficult. The biggest unknown is whether Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom will have the luxury of a Republican opponent in November, or will face fellow Democrat Antonio Villaraigosa.
Jerry Brown once again shuns tax reform
By Dan Walters
Gov. Jerry Brown once again is warning about the heavy impact of recession on the state budget. However, he continues to shun reforming the state’s tax system to reduce revenue volatility and therefore lessen the impact.
Jerry Brown holds the line in last budget
By Dan Walters
Despite a surge of revenues, Gov. Jerry Brown holds the line on spending in his final budget. He says state overdue for recession and needs to build reserves to cushion impacts.
Resistance State
Trump hosts California Republicans, exploring how to undercut California’s sanctuary law
By David Gorn
The Orange County anti-sanctuary uprising takes the national stage today, as a coalition of politicians are in Washington to talk Republican political strategy with President Trump.
CALmatters Blogs
President Trump endorses John Cox for governor—hoping to keep Congress in Republican hands
By Ben Christopher
President Trump threw the California’s governor’s race into a tizzy today with his surprise endorsement of Republican San Diego businessman John Cox—despite the fact that Cox acknowledges he didn’t vote for Trump. The announcement undercut Trump-boosting GOP candidate Travis Allen—and complicated Democratic contender Antonio Villaraigosa’s hopes to emerge a victory in California’s top-two primary.
California fights the Trump administration on abortion rule
By David Gorn
Washington plans to deny certain funds to groups that provide abortions or make referrals for the procedure. California leads a coalition that supports a Planned Parenthood effort to head off the new rule.
Investigation finds Assemblywoman Cristina Garcia violated sexual harassment policy—but only with vulgar language
By Laurel Rosenhall
On a leave of absence from the Legislature since she was accused of sexual harassment in February—and facing intensifying attacks in her re-election campaign—Assemblywoman Cristina Garcia jumped back into the fray Thursday, sending out a press release saying she’d been “exonerated.” Not quite.
Auto mileage and emissions: Will Washington and California be negotiating?
By Julie Cart
News reports say federal officials are to negotiate auto emission and fuel-efficiency standards with California. But the state’s air regulators haven’t heard from Washington yet.
Trump administration plan could deter legal immigrants from health care, other services
By David Gorn
Applications for green cards could be passed over if the immigrants who submitted them use such federal programs as Medicaid, food stamps, tax credits or subsidized Obamacare insurance.
Video: Would candidates for governor force the mentally ill to get care?
By Ben Christopher
The top candidates hoping to be the next governor of California all agree on this: The state is failing those who suffer from mental illness. Watch to see how they say they’ll fix the state’s broken mental health system.