wildfires

Politics

What happens if California takes over PG&E?

One by one, wildfire victims, bondholders and insurers have signed onto PG&E's plan for emerging from bankruptcy reorganization. Only Newsom now stands in the company's way — and he has threatened a public takeover if big changes aren't made at California's largest investor-owned utility.

By

Judy Lin

• February 5, 2020

Students return to class at Paradise High School nine months after the Camp Fire ravaged the community

California Wildfires

Make up school time lost to climate disasters, fire country lawmaker says

California state Sen. Bill Dodd has introduced legislation to help schools make up instructional time and state dollars lost to closures for climate-driven emergencies such as wildfires. The increasingly pressing issue was the topic of a CalMatters series last year.

By

Ricardo Cano

• January 23, 2020

Economy

What Gavin Newsom’s $222 billion budget says about California’s priorities

Homelessness, education, climate action, health, consumer protection, school lunches: Gov. Gavin Newsom's agenda couldn't differ more from President Donald Trump's. Budgets are a statement of values, notes Newsom. Here’s what his choices say about California’s.

By

CalMatters Staff

• January 10, 2020

Environment

California’s renewable energy targets slashed carbon pollution — now there’s a proposal to pause them

It’s not about cap and trade. A non-partisan report says California's renewable energy mandate is the star of the state's greenhouse gas goals, just as some propose to stop it.

By

Rachel Becker

• January 8, 2020

WhatMatters

Housing, wildfire, surplus on deck as California lawmakers return

State legislators go back to work this week with a focus on homelessness, wildfire, how to spend yet another fat budget surplus, and a Capitol baby boom.

By

Laurel Rosenhall

• January 6, 2020

Assemblyman Anthony Rendon smiles at his wife, Annie Lam, before he was sworn-in as 70th Speaker of the California Assembly

Capitol

‘Adjustments, for sure’: CA Speaker talks 2020 priorities, politics — and parenting

As California lawmakers return for a new year, Anthony Rendon (the Assembly leader, not the ball player) talks wildfires, housing, ballot measures, the gig economy, affirmative action, Gov. Gavin Newsom and supermajorities. And babies. And home runs.

By

Laurel Rosenhall

• January 5, 2020