Assembly

Commentary

Substantive representation requires Black and Brown leaders

The appointments of Alex Padilla and Shirley Weber point to the value for voters to be able to see themselves in their elected officials.

By Guest Commentary • December 29, 2020

Elections

Legislature campaigns: Did big political spenders get what they paid for?

You can’t always get what you want, but for special interests in California politics, spending $34 million sure does help. That’s the amount of unrestricted political spending that industries and unions with regular business in the capitol pumped into Legislative races across the state this year. As CalMatters reported before Election Day, the oil industry, […]

By Ben Christopher • November 20, 2020

Commentary

Ethnic studies curriculum is what our students need in this moment

On Nov. 18-19, an advisory panel to the State Board of Education will act on the most recent recommendations to the draft Ethnic Studies Model Curriculum.

By Guest Commentary • November 15, 2020

Elections

Cash blitz: Who’s spending the most to influence your vote for California’s Legislature?

State law caps the amount donors can give to a legislator’s campaign — but these special interests can spend as much as they like mounting their own campaigns to praise or trash candidates. And the money interest groups are pouring into these  “independent expenditure committees” has reached dizzying heights. So far more than $31 million of […]

By Ben Christopher and Laurel Rosenhall • October 27, 2020

Capitol

A new era of clean transportation requires new leadership on the Assembly’s Transportation Committee

Assembly Transportation Committee Chair Jim Frazier has obstructed progress in moving toward clean transportation.

By Guest Commentary • October 15, 2020

Commentary

Newsom should sign police reform bill granting civilian oversight of sheriff’s departments

One police reform bill on the governor’s desk can make a significant impact on the civilian oversight of sheriff departments.

By Guest Commentary • September 22, 2020

Capitol

High school ethnic studies bill would benefit all students and foster stronger race relations

Ethnic studies recognizes the racial injustices that have occurred so that people can be empowered to work toward the American ideal of fair opportunity.

By Guest Commentary • September 22, 2020

Climate Change

Tapping into solar-charged batteries could help prevent blackouts

Changing regulations in California would help keep the lights on by enabling customer-owned solar-charged batteries to provide energy to the grid.

By Guest Commentary • September 19, 2020

Politics

Democratic squabbling doomed California’s ‘Year of housing production.’ What will happen in 2021?

Despite entering 2020 with the governor and many legislators pushing for an increase in housing production, none of the bills put forth went into effect. The coronavirus pandemic has also put prospects for such bills in 2021 in doubt.

By Matt Levin • September 11, 2020

WhatMatters

‘We are in uncharted territory’: High winds spreading already-historic fires

Never has so much of California burned. And as powerful winds continue to blast the state, the likelihood of historic fires metastasizing and others exploding looms large for overworked firefighters and exhausted residents. In Southern California, strong Santa Ana winds could push the Bobcat fire toward homes in foothill communities. The fire, which is currently […]

By Emily Hoeven • September 9, 2020