Rob Bonta

Politics

Charity and politics: California elected officials would have to disclose their connections under proposed rule

After a year-long wait, the state's campaign finance watchdog has a proposal to require elected officials to provide more information on special interest donations to their nonprofits.

By Laurel Rosenhall • July 13, 2021

WhatMatters

California’s unemployment fiasco takes surprising turn: Bank of America wants out

Just how dysfunctional is California’s unemployment department? Apparently so dysfunctional that Bank of America, which since 2010 has had an exclusive contract with the state to deliver unemployment benefits through prepaid debit cards, wants to end the contract — even though the Employment Development Department just renewed it for another two years. The news, first […]

By Emily Hoeven • July 8, 2021

Commentary

Koch brothers win legal duel with California

Industrialists David and Charles Koch won their duel with California's attorney general when the U.S. Supreme Court invalidated a regulation aimed at forcing the brothers' non-profit political group, Americans for Prosperity, to reveal its donors.

By Dan Walters • July 5, 2021

Commentary

California budget favors left side in crime culture war

The state budget makes clear that Gov. Gavin Newsom and legislators favor the left in conflict over how criminal cases should be handled.

By Dan Walters • July 4, 2021

WhatMatters

With recall date set, Newsom put to test

Gov. Gavin Newsom will face the most pivotal day of his political career on Sept. 14, the date of the second recall election in California.

By Emily Hoeven • July 2, 2021

WhatMatters

Cities crack down on homeless encampments

Good morning, California. It’s Thursday, July 1. Pandemic’s unequal toll Today, thousands of California families could have been at risk of losing their homes had Gov. Gavin Newsom and the Legislature not cobbled together a last-minute extension of the state’s eviction moratorium. But even with those protections in place, sheriff’s departments locked out at least […]

By Emily Hoeven • July 1, 2021

WhatMatters

Newsom recall twist: Governor sues elections chief he appointed

The governor sues Secretary of State Shirley Weber — whom he appointed to the position just months ago — for refusing to correct his lawyers' filing mistake that could result in Newsom appearing on the recall ballot without "Democratic Party" listed next to his name.

By Emily Hoeven • June 29, 2021

WhatMatters

Why California’s unemployment picture is muddled

How you interpret California’s latest unemployment numbers may have a lot to do with whether you’re a glass half-full or glass half-empty kind of person. If you’re the former, Friday’s report from the Employment Development Department is cause to celebrate: It shows that California’s unemployment rate dropped to 7.9% in May, down from April’s revised […]

By Emily Hoeven • June 21, 2021

WhatMatters

After 453 days, California reopens

Good morning, California. It’s Tuesday, June 15. State tries to boost travel Today’s the day — at last. A staggering 453 days after Gov. Gavin Newsom issued the nation’s first stay-at-home order, shutting the state down overnight, most businesses will be able to reopen at full capacity. Fully vaccinated Californians will be able to ditch […]

By Emily Hoeven • June 15, 2021

WhatMatters

In switch, lawmakers accelerate Newsom recall election

Democratic lawmakers are taking steps to move up the date of the all-but-certain election to recall Gov. Gavin Newsom — a sign they may be listening to arguments that doing so could help him stay in office. Thursday morning, the state Department of Finance released estimates showing it would cost California’s 58 counties at least […]

By Emily Hoeven • June 11, 2021