Infrastructure

Commentary

Huge trucks would decimate California’s roads and bridges, endanger drivers

Congress is considering bills allowing trucks to exceed 80,000 pounds. That would further damage California’s aging bridges and congested roads.

By Jorgel Chavez • January 27, 2026

Environment

Why a small change in paperwork is generating a big fight over hazardous waste in California

The University of California system says lifting tracking requirements will make managing hazardous waste more efficient. Hundreds of other waste handlers will benefit too, but the state hasn't identified them.

By Alejandra Reyes-Velarde • October 30, 2025

Politics

Lawmakers wanted a new infrastructure agency to operate in secret. Why they backed down

For months, a plan to create an infrastructure financing agency largely shielded from the public eye sailed smoothly through the state Senate. Lawmakers only backtracked when transparency advocates sounded the alarm.

By Yue Stella Yu • July 2, 2025

Politics

Newsom gave his political rival a $380k job. Special interests helped foot the bill

Gov. Gavin Newsom appointed former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa to lead a state infrastructure project paid for by an outside nonprofit. The nonprofit relied on fundraising from special interests to cover the costs, but did not have to disclose the identity of those donors because of how the arrangement was structured.

By Alexei Koseff and Byrhonda Lyons • June 17, 2025

Education

Inside a $17 billion maintenance backlog plaguing California’s universities

Infrastructure issues at California’s public universities are hindering students and faculty’s ability to learn and work on campus. Lawmakers and system leaders are hoping more state support can help them bring down the $17 billion price tag to fix their academic buildings.

By Victoria Mejicanos, Matthew Reagan and Mercy Sosa • April 1, 2025

K-12 Education

Rural California schools and roads lose millions in federal funding after latest cuts

For the last century, the money has gone to counties with large amounts of federal land that can’t be taxed. Congress failed to include it in the upcoming budget.

By Carolyn Jones • March 25, 2025

Commentary

Study tells California legislators to declare war on red tape — but will they?

California needs to "facilitate new construction at an unprecedented scale" to solve housing, water and climate issues, a legislative report says.

By Dan Walters • March 7, 2025

Reader Reactions

California needs every transportation option to meet climate goals – including hydrogen

California's lack of hydrogen fuel infrastructure is restricting its ability to become a legitimate alternative, and the state needs every transportation option to meet its climate goals, argues a hydrogen vehicle owner

By Gregg Fishman • August 25, 2023

Commentary

Risks for adding hydrogen energy to California gas systems are not worth the limited reward

Hydrogen is touted as a solution for helping address California's energy and climate crises. However, a hydrogen economy would involve serious risks, and may not actually help the climate.

By Guest Commentary • August 25, 2023

WhatMatters

Crunch time for California Legislature

It’s another make-or-break week at the Legislature before its month-long summer recess. By Friday, bills that have already passed either the Assembly or Senate must get through policy committees in the other chamber to stay alive this session. Most measures have, but there are some that are still in jeopardy as committees busily go through […]

By Lynn La • July 11, 2023