Election 2020

Commentary

Where do Democratic presidential candidates stand on gerrymandering? What about HR1? Let’s ask them

Kathay Feng, California Common Cause: We are in a time when there are so many people who seek to sow divisions among Americans. I’m looking for the presidential candidate who presents a vision for how people can find common ground through uncommon solutions to create a democracy that works for all of us.

By Guest Commentary • December 19, 2019

Economy

For small, rural, crumbling — and closing — classrooms, a possible solution: new school bond rules

Small rural schools have long had a hard time competing for state school bond money. But that may change with the state bond on the ballot in March.

By Ricardo Cano • December 17, 2019

Capitol

Fight or switch? One Republican legislator ditches GOP, the other gets primaried

As Republican Party popularity plummets in California, two moderate legislators —Chad Mayes and Tyler Diep — take opposite tacks to try to keep their jobs. Politicos will be watching.

By Ben Christopher • December 8, 2019

WhatMatters

Kamala Harris folds, Duncan Hunter pleads guilty, PG&E wants to hand out coolers

Kamala Harris ends presidential campaign. PG&E wants to give coolers to low-income residents during power shutoffs. Why it's hard to punish car burglars.

By Dan Morain and Jackie Botts • December 4, 2019

Elections

Kamala Harris quits presidential race — what it means for California

After a promising start, California’s junior senator is out of the running. Where will her voters, backers and endorsers go — and what does this all say about the California primary?

By Ben Christopher • December 3, 2019

Commentary

California should stop short-changing kids. Here’s how to help

Ted Lempert, Children Now: From criminal justice reform to environmental stewardship to humane immigration policies, California’s leaders make the state a model of effective governance for the federal government and other states. But no matter how you look at it, the state ranks near the bottom of states when it comes to our kids.

By Guest Commentary • December 3, 2019

WhatMatters

California confronts higher education issues, and Newsom is Iowa-bound

California tackles higher education woes. Newsom headed to Iowa to campaign for Harris. Ballmer notches win in bid to build Inglewood arena.

By Dan Morain • December 3, 2019

Commentary

California’s Proposition 13 education bond is a much needed solution for aging campuses

Dick Ackerman and Mel Levine, California Coalition for Public Higher Education: As the state continues to improve higher education access and success, we must support Proposition 13 to provide the funding needed to revitalize aging facilities so that they will be safe places to learn and will have the capacity to meet the increasing number of students seeking higher education.

By Guest Commentary • December 2, 2019

Commentary

Google’s new political ad policy will cost consultants, and improve our democracy

Eric Jaye, Democratic political consultant: Google famously implores their company with the slogan, “Don’t be evil.” It is true the company has not always matched that aspiration. But with a bold upgrade of its political advertising standards, Google is delivering a powerful public good.

By Guest Commentary • November 22, 2019

Elections

Why California’s top court just struck down the state’s Trump tax return law

In the lead opinion, California Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye says the state constitution makes clear "it is the voters who must decide" whether a presidential candidate's refusal to publicly share tax returns will have consequences at the ballot box. Many constitutional law experts, former Democratic Gov. Jerry Brown and the California Republican Party are now all officially entitled to say, "I told you so."

By Ben Christopher • November 21, 2019