California Elections

Commentary

Feinstein’s health has Newsom in a political trap of his own making

After suffering a bout of shingles, Dianne Feinstein's return to the Senate did not stop the calls for her resignation, which would create a huge political problem for Gov. Gavin Newsom.

By Dan Walters • May 24, 2023

Commentary

How proposed changes to California ballot measures could affect election results

Just as rule changes in sports can affect the final score, rule changes in politics also affect outcomes. Three pending legislative proposals would affect what happens to local and state ballot measures.

By Dan Walters • April 30, 2023

WhatMatters

California Legislature tackles food chemicals, facial recognition, transgender kids and more

The Legislature is back this week from spring recess and already things are getting busy.  CalMatters’ Julie Cart reports that a bill that would outlaw five chemicals in food products passed the Assembly health committee Tuesday after a robust debate — and a little snacking. The so-called Skittles Bill prompted both a freewheeling discussion of […]

By Lynn La • April 12, 2023

Commentary

Battles over taxing the rich abound in liberal California

There's no shortage of efforts to impose new taxes on the wealthy or corporations in California, but few of them survive the political process.

By Dan Walters • April 11, 2023

Commentary

California pay-to-play law could empower wealthy candidates and special interests

A lawsuit was filed to try and stop a law aiming to curb pay-to-play influence in local government. One of the plaintiffs, a suburban Sacramento representative, argues that the law could make it harder for diverse candidates to be competitive, and further enable dark money from special interests.

By Guest Commentary • April 10, 2023

WhatMatters

Newsom’s threat to Walgreens fizzles

On March 6, Gov. Gavin Newsom sent the policy world into a frenzy when, without any notice, he tweeted that “California won’t be doing business with Walgreens,” because of the company’s decision to not distribute an abortion pill in states that banned the medication.  But it turns out that Walgreens won’t lose that much state […]

By Lynn La • April 7, 2023

Commentary

Should California referendum law become harder to use?

California business interests increasingly use ballot measures to block or delay laws imposing new regulations. Progressive groups want to make such actions more difficult.

By Dan Walters • March 21, 2023

Commentary

How California political power could shift south – and to the left – after Feinstein

Southern California could reassert itself as the political epicenter of California after Senator Dianne Feinstein retires next year. The congressional candidates vying to succeed her, and the vacancies their campaigns have created, provide opportunities for officeholders who are younger, more liberal and more rooted in Southern California.

By Jim Newton • March 9, 2023

Commentary

Transparency on California’s local ballot measures faces new threat

In 2015 and again in 2017, the California Legislature reformed how tax and bond measures are presented to voters, providing greater transparency on impacts and requiring ballot summaries to be neutral. There's now a new effort to undo much of those reforms.

By Dan Walters • March 6, 2023

Commentary

Newsom could stop unsafe oil drilling before the 2024 referendum. Here’s how

The oil industry is seeking to overturn a new California law that restricts where drilling can take place. Rather than wait for the 2024 election, oil industry opponents are calling on the governor to use his power to ensure the protections still go into effect.

By Guest Commentary • March 3, 2023