ppic

California is moving to an (almost) all-mail election for 2020. Image via iStock

Politics

California’s (mostly) all-mail 2020 election, explained

Now that the coronavirus has turned Election Day into a latent superspreader event, the state’s Democratic lawmakers are making the 2020 general election an (almost) all-mail affair. Here's what that might look like.

By

Ben Christopher

• June 25, 2020

A protester holds up a sign that says ‘stop killing us’ during a demonstration May 29, 2020 Downtown Oakland. Thousands took to the streets Friday night in solidarity with protesters in Minneapolis against the killing of George Floyd by Minneapolis police earlier this week. Photo by Anne Wernikoff for CalMatters

WhatMatters

Affirmative action, reparations coming to CA?

George Floyd killing could spark policy changes in California. What you need to know about the California National Guard.

By

Emily Hoeven

• June 3, 2020

City CERT member Steve Bicker directs traffic into the drive-thru COVID-19 testing facility at Cal Expo in Sacramento. The by-appointment-only facility has been testing upwards of 300 patients per day. Photo by Anne Wernikoff for CalMatters

WhatMatters

A lot still unknown about virus spread

Newsom looks to ramp up testing, tracing and autopsies in battle against coronavirus. Potential app to track COVID-19 cases raises privacy concerns.

By

Emily Hoeven

• April 23, 2020

A sign on the Parkway Lounge in Oakland announces indefinite closure. Photo by Anne Wernikoff for CalMatters

Coronavirus

With coronavirus, California’s economy is in uncharted territory

The coronavirus is almost certain to cause the first pandemic-induced recession of the postwar era.

By

Ben Christopher

• March 22, 2020

Censoteria, a card game developed at La Luz in Sonoma, is based off of the familiar La Loteria game and helps to engage community members with civics, the census and public services. Photo by Anne Wernikoff for CalMatters

California Divide

Coronavirus, citizenship and the census: California fears an undercount

A global pandemic is upending California's 2020 census outreach efforts while community organizers report difficulty getting residents to set aside privacy concerns — and government distrust. The risk of an undercount could cost a congressional seat and billions in federal funding.

By

Elizabeth Castillo

• March 16, 2020

A new gymnasium at Burnt Ranch Elementary School in Trinity County, where it took three years to address a massive mold problem. A backlog of school facilities repairs across California prompted Proposition 13 on the March 2020 ballot. Photo by Dave Woody for CalMatters

Education

Fate of huge California bond to update school facilities hangs in balance

Last October, when he signed the legislation that placed Proposition 13 on the ballot, Gov. Gavin Newsom made a prediction: “Voters will approve this bond, because voters historically approve school bonds.” Newsom and supporters, who spent millions of dollars campaigning for a statewide ballot measure with no organized opposition, billed Prop. 13 as a critical […]

By

Ricardo Cano

• March 3, 2020

Sebastopol residents Joseph Mastrolia and his children Domino, 13, left and Talulah, 11 cheer during a Bernie Sanders campaign rally in Richmond, CA on February 17, 2020. Photo by Anne Wernikoff for CalMatters

Elections

If California polls hold, only Bernie Sanders would win any delegates chosen by statewide vote

No one else is averaging above a 15% statewide threshold. But that could change — and presidential candidates can also pick up delegates within congressional districts.

By

Ben Christopher

• February 25, 2020

WhatMatters

Newsom: PG&E’s bankruptcy is a ‘godsend’ + Housing bill stalls again

Housing bill stalls again in Legislature. Newsom calls PG&E bankruptcy a "godsend," looks to overhaul behavioral health system.

By

Dan Morain

• January 30, 2020

Abigail Disney, left, speaks in favor of Sen. Nancy Skinner’s bill, SB 37, which would change the corporate tax rate to limit the earnings of CEOs in proportion to their workers

WhatMatters

Newsom to get a Supreme Court pick, while lawmakers tussle over sex education and corporate taxes

Newsom gets first pick to California Supreme Court. Bill would tie corporate tax rates to CEO pay. Tax credit benefiting Hollywood continues to grow.

By

Dan Morain

• January 16, 2020

Homelessness

Newsom’s big move on homelessness may be just in political time, new poll suggests

Homelessness has shot to the top of concerns for California voters. A new poll finds nearly a third want homelessness or housing to be the state's focus.

By

Ben Christopher

• January 15, 2020