Evan Low

A billboard truck hired by SumOfUs parked across the street from the Carneros Resort and Spa in Napa on Aug. 4, 2022. Photo by Martin do Nascimento, CalMatters

WhatMatters

Lawmakers, lobbyists gather in Napa ahead of key votes

Blockchain and cryptocurrency. Artificial intelligence. Facial recognition technology. Health care innovation. The energy industry. Building tech economies in “underestimated” cities such as Fresno. Understanding the benefits of remote work. Helping small businesses thrive online. Those are among the topics that state lawmakers and tech industry lobbyists are set to discuss today at the luxurious four-star […]

By

Emily Hoeven

• August 5, 2022

California Capitol, home of the Assembly and Senate. Photo by Anne Wernikoff for CalMatters

Commentary

California’s ‘tort wars’ flaring up again

"Tort wars" over the rules governing personal injury lawsuits in California are heating up again in the Capitol.

By

Dan Walters

• April 21, 2021

Assemblymember Shirly Weber has been named California Secretary of State after current Secretary Alex Padilla was named to the U.S. Senate this morning. Photo by Anne Wernikoff, CalMatters; Wikimedia Commons

Politics

Newsom’s two big picks make history for California by advancing Latino and Black Democrats

In choosing a new U.S. senator and a new secretary of state, Gov. Gavin Newsom could shape Democratic politics for years to come.

By

Laurel Rosenhall

• December 22, 2020

La asambleísta Shirly Weber fue nombrada Secretaria de Estado de California después de que el actual secretario Alex Padilla fuera nombrado para el Senado de los Estados Unidos esta mañana. Foto de Anne Wernikoff, CalMatters; Wikimedia Commons

CalMatters en Español

Las dos grandes selecciones de Newsom hacen historia para California al promover a los demócratas latinos y negros

Al elegir un nuevo senador estadounidense y una nueva secretaria de estado, el gobernador Gavin Newsom podría moldear la política demócrata en los próximos años.

By

Laurel Rosenhall

• December 22, 2020

Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden announced Sen. Harris as his pick for vice president — setting of new speculation about whom the governor might appoint to her Senate seat if the Biden-Harris ticket prevails. Photo by Gage Skidmore via Flickr

Commentary

Newsom needs to select an Asian American Pacific Islander to replace Kamala Harris in the U.S. Senate

Here is a short list of capable and tested Asian American Pacific Islander leaders who deserve the governor’s consideration to replace Sen. Kamala Harris.

By

Guest Commentary

• November 9, 2020

Politics

Watchdog to review rules letting California politicians raise money for charity

Citing the potential for ‘self-dealing,’ California's Fair Political Practices Commission is rethinking the rules governing political behests.

By

Laurel Rosenhall

• March 31, 2020

Speaker Anthony Rendon gives remarks following Gov. Newsom’s 2020 State of the State address. Photo by Anne Wernikoff for CalMatters

Politics

Legislators’ charity use has prompted calls for reform — but not from the Assembly Speaker

The fundraising has generated criticism and a state investigation, but California Speaker Anthony Rendon isn't asking legislators to change their conduct.

By

Laurel Rosenhall

• March 2, 2020

WhatMatters

Evan Low’s fundraising + The shifting 9th Circuit’s abortion ruling + Hard living in Salinas

Assemblyman's fundraising scrutinized by state watchdog. Family-planning ruling hits low-income women hardest. Trump judges begin to leave their mark.

By

Dan Morain

• February 25, 2020

Assemblyman Evan Low, Democrat of Campbell. Photo by Anne Wernikoff for CalMatters

Politics

State opens investigation following CalMatters’ report on tech foundation

California’s political watchdog is investigating fundraising practices by Democratic Assemblyman Evan Low after CalMatters reported that he had stopped disclosing donors to a nonprofit organization affiliated with the Legislature’s technology caucus, which he chairs. The chief of enforcement for the Fair Political Practices Commission wrote in a letter to Low that she had begun “a […]

By

Laurel Rosenhall

• February 24, 2020

A sign in the hotel lobby directing attendees to the two-day technology and policy summit for lawmakers and tech-industry representatives hosted by Foundation for California’s Technology and Innovation Economy.

Capitol

Steak dinners, secret donors: How the Tech Caucus is courting Silicon Valley with charity

The Tech Caucus' foundation, co-launched by Assemblyman Evan Low of Campbell, woos Silicon Valley — but has stopped disclosing who actually donates to it.

By

Laurel Rosenhall

• February 20, 2020