California Legislature

Illustration by Miguel Gutierrez Jr., CalMatters

Politics

No legal battles for California’s new election maps. But what lessons can be learned?

California’s independent redistricting commission was slammed on social media and pummeled in public meetings. But its new maps don’t face any lawsuits, unlike in many other states.

By

Sameea Kamal

• February 14, 2022

Alisson Argueta, 8, is given a coronavirus disease (COVID-19) test at a back-to-school clinic in South Gate, Los Angeles on August 12, 2021. Photo by Lucy Nichols/REUTERS

WhatMatters

Big COVID changes could land today in California

As soon as today, the Newsom administration could unveil a key prong of its strategy for treating COVID as an endemic virus.

By

Emily Hoeven

• February 14, 2022

Commentary

Why ban Indigenous philosophies in the classroom?

If California’s leaders want to ban Indigenous knowledge from the classroom, they should at least first learn it.

By

Guest Commentary

• February 11, 2022

The interior of SoFi Stadium is seen days before the Super Bowl NFL football game Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2022, in Inglewood. The Los Angeles Rams are scheduled to play the Cincinnati Bengals in the Super Bowl on Sunday, Feb. 13. Photo by Marcio Jose Sanchez, AP Photo

WhatMatters

COVID politics ensnare California Super Bowl

Republican legislators tried to force a vote on ending the COVID state of emergency and cited the Super Bowl.

By

Emily Hoeven

• February 11, 2022

An aerial view of the 400 Catalina apartment building (center) and the historic condominium at 416 Catalina Street (in front), which is the site of a potential eviction under the Ellis Act, in the Koreatown neighborhood of Los Angeles. Photo by Bing Guan for CalMatters

Politics

Why is a tenant protection bill failing in the California Legislature, again?

A broad coalition is backing a tenant protection bill in the California Legislature, but business and real estate interests are winning so far. The proposal would require landlords to keep units for at least five years before using a state law to evict renters. Supporters say it would help preserve affordable housing amid a historic shortage.

By

Manuela Tobias

• February 9, 2022

California's Death Row at San Quentin State Prison in San Quentin on Dec. 29, 2015. REUTERS/Stephen Lam

Politics

Is this another way to end California’s death penalty?

Instead of outright abolition, opponents of the California death penalty are pushing legislation to limit death sentences. But the blowback to Gov. Gavin Newsom's plan to dismantle Death Row at San Quentin demonstrates the political risk.

By

Alexei Koseff

• February 9, 2022

Commentary

California’s older adults are being stiffed big time

Budgets and legislation dictating mandated actions are needed immediately to deal with issues affecting California’s older adults.

By

Guest Commentary

• February 8, 2022

Commentary

Why single-payer health care failed in the Legislature

The unprecedented breadth and depth of the tax increase to fund single-payer health care is economically tone deaf.

By

Guest Commentary

• February 8, 2022

Daniel Hertzberg, far left, is running as a Democrat in the newly drawn Senate District 20 seat in the state Senate. Photo via Daniel Hertzberg's campaign website

Commentary

Machine politics on display in race for state Senate seat

It’s an old script with an all-too-familiar storyline: The unqualified man benefits from the political machine, bypassing the qualified woman.

By

Guest Commentary

• February 2, 2022

Jackie Botts interviews Fernando Maya during a reporting trip about the California homless crisis on Nov. 17, 2021. Photo by Miguel Gutierrez Jr., CalMatters

Homelessness

The people behind California’s plan to end chronic homelessness

In the new episode of "Gimme Shelter: The California Housing Crisis Podcast," CalMatters' Manuela Tobias and the Los Angeles Times' Liam Dillon interview former homeless veteran Fernando Maya and Jackie Botts, who told his story for CalMatters.

By

Manuela Tobias

• February 2, 2022