In summary
Highlighting all of CALmatters’ work over the past week
Recent Articles
Saying death penalty no longer “an abstract question,” Gov. Newsom halts executions in California
By Laurel Rosenhall
Gov. Gavin Newsom, a longtime death penalty opponent, has announced a moratorium on executions in California. His move overrides a decision the state’s voters made in 2016 to maintain capital punishment.
California has a giant surplus—of ideas for new taxes. What’s up with that?
By Judy Lin
Democratic leaders at the state Capitol have pointedly cautioned against broad tax increases on working families. Whether their troops and the governor have gotten the memo, though, isn’t clear.
For families across California, a desperate struggle to get mental health care
By Jocelyn Wiener
Elizabeth Brown’s bedroom holds a trove of evidence of her unsuccessful fight to save herself.
Amid Trump’s border showdown, UC immigration lawyer comforts and fights
By Felicia Mello
California is funding immigration attorneys for students and their families as federal courts weigh the fate of DACA and politicians battle over border enforcement.
Unionizing daycare? California’s child care workers seek a seat at the big kids’ table
By Ben Christopher
Some at-home child care workers who depend on state subsidies are hoping to join forces with an unlikely ally: organized labor.
Utilities pushed toward fire prevention as Edison is blamed for Thomas Fire
By Judy Lin
California lawmakers pressure utilities to improve fire safety as Southern California Edison is blamed for the 2017 Thomas Fire and ensuing mudslides.
San Diego’s mayor explains why he became a “YIMBY”
By Matt Levin
San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer has a message for his fellow California Republicans when it comes to the state’s housing crisis: Embrace more development.
Commentary
Sales tax bite looms for Internet consumers
By Dan Walters
Californians who buy things on the Internet have often been able to escape sales taxes. But that will end April 1.
Trump’s rule gagging doctors is a threat to women’s lives
By Dr. Karen Meckstroth
Despite massive opposition, the Trump administration released coercive and unethical regulations governing Title X. The administration’s anti-abortion agenda has seeped into Title X, a program that doesn’t pay for or provide abortion services. Under these rules, doctors would not be able to tell patients where they can get an abortion, even if they ask. The best doctors could do is give a patient a list of healthcare providers, some of whom provide abortions.
Both abortion factions try to silence opponents
By Dan Walters
Those who debate abortion are often willing to use law and politics to shut down the other side.
California can’t afford to skimp on computer science education
By Susan Bonilla
Computer science is an essential 21st Century skill for college, careers and civic participation. Yet many California students lack access to meaningful opportunities to learn computer science. If we are committed to closing the academic achievement gap, we must close the growing computer science access gap for all students.
Hard truths about deinstitutionalization, then and now
By Vern Pierson
Ronald Reagan and Jerry Brown, two of the most consequential governors ever in California, led the state during two of the most well intended but poorly executed movements in this state’s history. The first was the de-institutionalization of the mentally ill. The second resulted in fewer prison inmates, and significant increases in homelessness and untreated mental illness.
Trumpies rightfully reduced Oroville Dam aid
By Dan Walters
The Trump administration is refusing to pay more than $300 million for repairs to Oroville Dam. California officials should be grateful it’s not zero.
Politicians like to keep us in the dark
By Dan Walters
A new legislative bill and a new threat by the attorney general are the latest attempts to undermine the state’s Public Records Act.
Don’t leave California’s climate goals stuck in traffic
By Robbie Hunter
At the State Building and Construction Trades Council of California, we are far from naïve. We understand the political and economic challenges that face the completion of high-speed rail, and we are up for the fight and plan to fight along with every elected leader who is willing to fight for California’s quality of life, climate goals and middle-class jobs.
To combat climate change, California must wean buildings off fossil fuels
By Sam Liccardo
Construction, heating, and operating of our work and homes account for nearly 40 percent of our nation’s CO2 emissions. But California still doesn’t have a comprehensive statewide plan to help cities cut pollution from homes and commercial buildings. That’s like having a global naval military strategy that omits the Pacific Ocean.
The world is knocking at California’s door, and we welcome it
By Eleni Kounalakis
Enriched by the diversity of our communities, California represents a set of human values that nurture and free our minds and our economic system. And the world knows it. That’s why now, more than ever, the world is knocking on our door.