Rob Bonta

WhatMatters

Election Day + Obamacare jeopardy + Job protection for workers who use cannabis? + Coronavirus update

Zombie votes and delayed results expected today. Bill would protect workers who use medical marijuana. Business and labor groups spent big on primary.

By Dan Morain • March 3, 2020

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

A politician’s charity + Bernie Sanders’ rise + A personal note

Charity starts at home for one assemblyman. Sexual abuse suits lead to Boy Scouts bankruptcy. Sanders pulls ahead in California primary poll.

By Dan Morain • February 19, 2020

Capitol

For California lawmakers, charity can begin at home

It's legal for Assemblyman Rob Bonta's nonprofit to give to his wife's employer. But an author of the state's political ethics law says it shouldn't be.

By Laurel Rosenhall • February 19, 2020

Capitol

The new thing for California politicians? Sweet charity

Steak dinners with lobbyists, overseas trips, favors for spouses — nonprofits set up by California legislators and their staffers are testing campaign finance laws even as they underwrite good works by elected officials. Here as elsewhere, they're on the rise.

By Laurel Rosenhall • February 18, 2020

WhatMatters

Sacramento’s growth industry + California’s educational divide + San Francisco’s latest scandal

California struggles to close educational divide. Construction workers get behind schools bond measure. Lobbying industry grows in spending, influence.

By Dan Morain • February 3, 2020

Politics

State may push cities and counties to draw “fairer” districts

The Supreme Court has given lawmakers the greenlight to gerrymander, but two California bills could drive the state even further in the other direction.

By Ben Christopher • July 9, 2019

Commentary

Six months after toxic smoke, health of immigrant workers still at risk

We need to make quality health care affordable to everyone who lives in California, immigrants and people born in the U.S. alike. Removing exclusions to health care for undocumented Californians is one step on the road to an equitable and workable healthcare system.

By Guest Commentary • May 1, 2019

Housing

Will rent control and other tenant bills get through the Capitol this time?

Please subscribe to the Gimme Shelter podcast on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Soundcloud, Google Play, Spotify or Overcast.  Ready for another fight over rent control? Six months after a statewide initiative that could have expanded rent control across California was rejected overwhelmingly at the polls, a group of progressive state lawmakers are back with a suite of pro-tenant legislation […]

By Matt Levin • April 19, 2019

Politics

Lawmakers and landlords: More than a quarter of California legislators are both

A CALmatters analysis reveals that at least 30 lawmakers—more than a quarter of the California Legislature— own at least one property that generates rental income.

By Elizabeth Castillo and Matt Levin • April 16, 2019