Inside the Newsroom

Dave Lesher turned CalMatters into one of California’s most influential newsrooms — and launched new tools to make your government transparent

The reporting “speaks volumes about the role that public defenders play in maintaining the integrity of the whole system, not just in defending their clients.”

Californians can now easily follow what their state representatives say and do each week, as the Legislature considers about 5,000 bills before adjourning in August.

In 2025, CalMatters’ and The Markup’s reporting prompted lawmakers to introduce eight new bills, agencies to take action, companies to change their practices and constituents to contact their representatives.

CalMatters produced a nonpartisan voter guide for the Prop. 50 special election, and brought it to more readers across the state thanks to newsroom partners.

CalMatters’ homelessness coverage this year has spanned multiple investigations, stories and resources that led to real-world impact.

The organization said Rubin’s work “exemplifies the highest standards of journalistic integrity and advances public understanding of justice, due process, and equal protection.”

Two of the ten Rosalynn Carter Fellowships for Mental Health Journalism were awarded to CalMatters journalists.

Now, Californians and Hawaiʻi residents alike can search through every word uttered in public hearings, every dollar given to a politician, every bill introduced and every vote taken in their state legislatures.

The site for research work that’s relevant to state policy will become a showcase for research from organizations across California starting in 2026.