An unusually high number of influential state legislators are retiring or running for higher office. The reasons include a combination of new electoral districts, term limits and political ambition.
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Posted inCommentary
Crime could become hot issue in 2022
Political reaction to a spate of smash-and-grab retail thefts indicates that crime could be a hot button issue in next year’s California elections.
Posted inCommentary
Pending bill opens door to pension corruption at CalPERS
A pending bill would allow the California Public Employees Retirement System to make direct loans and shield their details from public scrutiny.
Posted inPolitics
After attacks on Asian Americans, California lawmakers push to expand hate crime laws
The Atlanta shootings and other recent attacks on Asian Americans have prompted state lawmakers to resurrect past bills, but hurdles remain in documenting and prosecuting hate crimes.
Posted inWhatMatters
Texas blackouts put California in spotlight
Good morning, California. It’s Thursday, February 18. Power grid challenges loom California’s rolling blackouts last summer are back in the national spotlight due to the collapse of Texas’ electric grid amid a record-breaking winter storm — underscoring the discrepancy between the two states’ stances on energy and climate change, as well as the challenges they […]
Posted inMy Turn
As hate crimes increase, what will California do?
California law considers all hate crime convictions, even felonies where the victim is injured as non-violent – Assembly Bill 266 would change that.
Posted inCalifornia Legislature
Interactive: How diverse is the California Legislature?
See whether lawmakers in the state Senate and Assembly reflect your demographics with this interactive tool.
Posted inCalMatters en Español
Interactivo: ¿Qué tan diversa es la Legislatura de California?
Vea si los legisladores en el Senado y la Asamblea estatales reflejan su demografía con esta herramienta interactiva.
Posted inEnvironment
Legacy of a clean-air czar: Clearer skies, bold alliances and bitter controversy
Mary Nichols has been pivotal in California’s war on smog. But as her tenure ends next week, activists say she didn’t do enough to protect low-income communities and they scuttled her candidacy for Biden’s top environmental post. Wounded but tenacious, she’s contemplating her next battles.
Posted inWhatMatters
Newsom losing another top official
Good morning, California. It’s Friday, December 11. Daniel Kim departing Yet another top official is departing Gov. Gavin Newsom’s administration, leaving the governor to replace the leaders of two departments central to California’s pandemic response as he faces a make-or-break point in his career. Daniel Kim, the director of the Department of General Services, will […]