Laura Friedman | CalMatters

Lawmakers of both parties complain that bills that are objectionable—or just inconvenient—for powerful Democratic lawmakers have been dying in the Assembly without even a hearing. Photo of the California Assembly via Creative Commons.

Inside the Capitol, Politics

How powerful lawmakers are killing California bills—without a peep

by Laurel Rosenhall April 30, 2019June 23, 2020

Democrats who lead legislative committees are using a powerful new tool to kill bills before they even get a vote. The trick? Simply doing nothing.

Newsletters, WhatMatters

School dashboards, Dieselgate power struggles, animal rights

by Dan Morain December 7, 2018

Newsletters, WhatMatters

Beach access, Brown’s court and an endorsement goes away

by Dan Morain October 2, 2018July 8, 2019

Community members gather for a rally in support of Christine Blasey Ford in front of City Hall on Thursday, Sept. 27, 2018, in Palo Alto, Calif. Ford, testified during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing about her allegations that Supreme Court nominee Judge Brett Kavanaugh attempted to rape her in the early 1980s. Photo by Aric Crabb/Bay Area News Group

Newsletters, WhatMatters

California’s election, women and Kavanaugh

by Dan Morain September 28, 2018

Politicians accused of sexual harassment are being ousted by peer pressure

by Laurel Rosenhall December 13, 2017June 23, 2020

Trent Lange, president of the California Clean Money Campaign, at a Sacramento rally in support of legislation to require better disclosure of who's paying for political ads. Photo by Laurel Rosenhall for CALmatters

Lawmakers torn over whether to reveal true funders behind campaign ads

by Laurel Rosenhall June 28, 2017June 23, 2020

California's Capitol building in Sacramento IMAGE BY MAX WHITTAKER FOR CALMATTERS

Foes into friends: Lobbyists make amends to lawmakers with “make-up money”

by Laurel Rosenhall May 10, 2017June 23, 2020