California Governor

Jose Ruben Hernandez Gomez at his home in Lodi on Dec. 13, 2023. He was one of the hunger strikers at the Mesa Verde ICE detention facility and has filed a federal complaint alleging medical neglect and abuse. Photo by Fred Greaves for CalMatters

California Divide

Californian who joined hunger strike in ICE detention seeks $1 million in complaint

Detainee says ICE officers flew him to Texas, where he was threatened with force-feeding and was made to end his fast with solid foods, causing illness.

By

Justo Robles

• December 22, 2023

Illustration by Miguel Gutierrez Jr., CalMatters; iStock

California Divide

‘Back of the line again’: California’s broadband plan deprioritized underserved regions, advocates say

After years of planning a broadband system to bridge California’s digital divide, officials deprioritized some low-income areas due to unexpected costs. Gov. Gavin Newsom says he’s committed to funding the entire network, but advocates are skeptical.

By

Alejandra Reyes-Velarde

• October 19, 2023

Unite Here Local 11 and their supporters rally outside Los Angeles' Airport on Century Boulevard on June 22, 2023. Photo by Zaydee Sanchez for CalMatters

Commentary

Newsom slides to right, frustrating progressive politicians’ big hopes

Newsom, one of California's most liberal governors, rejected many bills favored by the left, giving progressives a handful of victories.

By

Dan Walters

• October 17, 2023

People protest in front of InterContinental Hotel as unionized hotel workers in Los Angeles and Orange County go on strike, in Los Angeles on July 2, 2023. Photo by David Swanson, REUTERS

California Divide

Labor leaders despair but don’t give up on unemployment for strikers after Gavin Newsom veto

Newsom announced on Saturday he vetoed two labor measures, one that would have given strikers unemployment benefits and another that would have made domestic work safer.

By

Denise Amos

and

Felicia Mello

• October 1, 2023

Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis at the State of the State ceremony on March 8, 2022. Photo by Miguel Gutierrez Jr., CalMatters

Commentary

Until recently, lieutenant governors rarely ascended to the California governor’s seat

In California's 173-year history, only three sitting lieutenant governors have been elected governor. The first time was in 1922. The second was 76 years later.

By

Guest Commentary

• July 28, 2023

Reparations task force members listen during the public comment portion of a December 14, 2022 meeting in Oakland on reparations proposals for African Americans. Photo by Martin do Nascimento, CalMatters

California Divide

California reparations task force to recommend ‘down payments’ for slavery, racism

The reparations task force meets Saturday in Oakland. It may vote to recommend a state apology and payments to African Americans based on years living in state.

By

Wendy Fry

• May 1, 2023

Joseph Goni, the owner of Lerda-Goni Farms, looks at his flooded heifer pen on his farm on March 23, 2023. Photo by Larry Valenzuela, CalMatters/CatchLight Local

California Divide

California’s farmers reeling as flooding wreaks havoc on dairy industry

After weeks of rain, the long-dry Tulare Lake is rising from the San Joaquin Valley floor, endangering farms, towns, livelihoods. Now record snow on the Sierra Nevada is melting. Will the Central Valley be ready?

By

Nicole Foy

• April 17, 2023

Democratic Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi argues in favor of Gov. Newsom's oil profit penalty plan at the Capitol on March 27, 2023. If passed, the bill would impose a penalty on oil companies for high gas prices. Photo by Miguel Gutierrez Jr., CalMatters

WhatMatters

California lawmakers OK Newsom plan that could someday cap oil industry profits

From CalMatters’ politics reporter Alexei Koseff: The California Assembly handed Gov. Gavin Newsom a long-awaited win on Monday, approving his revised proposal to punish alleged price gouging by oil companies and sending the measure to his desk for a signature, nearly six months after he first called on state lawmakers to take action on record […]

By

Lynn La

• March 28, 2023

A Reparations Task Force Meeting at San Diego State on Jan. 28, 2023. Photo by Ariana Drehsler, CalMatters

California Divide

California reparations task force zeroes in on who’d be eligible for compensation

California’s first-in-the-nation task force on reparations agreed residents should qualify for compensation. But should certain “vulnerable” former residents, such as foster kids or ex-prisoners, be eligible?

By

Wendy Fry

• January 30, 2023

Katie Duberg (left) and Jennifer Richard, chief of staff for state Sen. Maria Durazo (right), embrace in front of the state Capitol after hearing that Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Durazo's paid family leave bill on the last day for the governor to sign the bill, Sept. 30, 2022. Photo by Fred Greaves for CalMatters

California Divide

Newsom signs bill making family leave affordable to more workers

The bill increases leave payments to 90% of paychecks for lower-income workers in 2025, so more of them can afford time off for maternity leave or to care for ill family members.

By

Jeanne Kuang

• September 30, 2022