CALMatters | Palo Alto Online |

CALmatters is a Sacramento-based nonpartisan, nonprofit journalism venture committed to explaining how California's state Capitol works and why it matters. It works with more than 130 media partners throughout the state that have long, deep relationships with their local audiences, including Embarcadero Media (publisher of the Palo Alto Weekly, Mountain View Voice, Pleasanton Weekly and The Almanac in Menlo Park and their websites.)

Here are the most recent stories reported by CALmatters' team of journalists:

Disclosure at a snail’s pace; CCPOA’s clout

Candidates for superintendent of public instruction tangled over prison officers' pay. Marshall Tuck said Tony Thurmond should not have voted to raise correctional officers' pay by 5 percent, at a cost of more than $114 million.

Wed, Jul 18, 2018 4:30 am

Democratic left wing wants to jettison Sen. Feinstein

Kevin de León, a state senator who wants to unseat U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein, won the endorsement last weekend of the state Democratic Party executive committee, but she enjoys strong support from Democratic voters and is still likely to win re-election in November.

Wed, Jul 18, 2018 12:01 am

Food for the heart in a new California health program

A pilot project uses diet to improve the health of people with congestive heart failure—and save the state millions of dollars. Taxpayers foot the health care bill for about a third of California's residents. Part 2 of a CALmatters series on state efforts to fight chronic illness.

Tue, Jul 17, 2018 2:16 pm

Jerry Brown’s vision for online education

Gov. Jerry Brown, who began his career nearly 50 years ago by winning a Los Angeles community college seat, visited the Community College Board of Trustees Monday to describe his vision for the future of online education.

Tue, Jul 17, 2018 4:30 am

Don’t like your kid’s school district? Transferring could become easier—if they’re being bullied

A bill advancing in California's Legislature would allow students to transfer to a school outside their own district, but only if they are foster children, migrants, previously or currently homeless, plus one other category with a broader scope: kids being bullied.

Mon, Jul 16, 2018 5:31 pm

What $8.9 billion water bond would buy

California voters will have a chance to vote on an $8.9 billion water bond that would pay for environmental restoration, clean drinking water and help rebuild the Friant-Kern Canal, damaged by subsidence.

Mon, Jul 16, 2018 4:30 am

California’s school war will have new political players

California's education establishment is fighting a running battle with school reformers and civil rights groups over accountability for helping "at-risk" kids, and the battle will resume after voters elect a new governor and a new state schools superintendent.

Mon, Jul 16, 2018 12:01 am

Feinstein iced out by state Democratic Party leaders—they endorse progressive de León for U.S. Senate

A rebuke, a snub, a progressive smackdown—these are the terms headlining coverage of the California Democratic Party executive council's vote this weekend to back liberal state legislator Kevin de León in his longshot bid to unseat veteran U.S. Dianne Feinstein.

Sun, Jul 15, 2018 9:57 am

California vs. Trump over 2020 census

California has a big stake in results from the 2020 federal census and is battling with the Trump administration over the details, especially a new question about citizenship. California officials fear that the state's population will be undercounted.

Sun, Jul 15, 2018 12:01 am

Weekly CALmatters 07/14/2018

Highlighting all of CALmatters' work over the past week

Sat, Jul 14, 2018 12:12 am

Weekly Walters 07/13/2018

A collection of commentaries by Dan Walters over the past week.

Fri, Jul 13, 2018 5:46 am

Who’s going to pay for the fires

California legislators confront the question of how to pay for fire damage. Should PG&E be relieved of costs related to devastating 2017 wildfires, and should the law be changed for future fires?

Fri, Jul 13, 2018 4:30 am

WATCH: Governor candidates on how they would tackle California wildfires

Rivals for the governor's office Gavin Newsom and John Cox agree that wildfires pose an alarming threat to California—but what would they do to prevent and combat them? Here's what they told us.

Thu, Jul 12, 2018 5:47 pm

A political firestorm is about to hit the Capitol: Who will pay for wildfire damages?

In Sacramento, the biggest fights are over wildfire liability—who pays for billions of dollars of damages that result from the loss of so many homes, businesses and lives?—and how much utilities like PG&E can pass liability costs onto their customers.

Thu, Jul 12, 2018 3:23 pm

Why greenhouse gas emissions fell

The Air Resources Board announced greenhouse gas emissions fell in 2016, even as fuel consumption increased. The main reasons: Greater use of solar, wind and hydropower.

Thu, Jul 12, 2018 4:30 am

Legislature may erase embarrassing boondoggle

The North Coast Railroad Authority has consumed tens of millions of taxpayer dollars but never delivered on its promise to resurrect rail service north of San Francisco Bay. Finally, the Legislature is poised to abolish it.

Thu, Jul 12, 2018 12:01 am

Can Democrats shield Californians from new GOP tax law—despite IRS opposition?

California Democrats have either concocted a clever way to thwart the Trump administration’s tax plan by gaming the tax credit programs, or they're engaging in magical thinking.

Wed, Jul 11, 2018 4:42 pm

Power play: How California lawmakers are trying to navigate a changing energy landscape

Bills to manage California's power supply await the Legislature when it returns from July recess. At issue is the state's ability to provide electricity consistently, even when an unexpected demand or oversupply arises.

Wed, Jul 11, 2018 2:42 pm

Latest Capitol harassment case: Sexual talk by GOP Assemblyman Devon Mathis

A Republican from the Central Valley is the latest California lawmaker found to have violated the Capitol's sexual harassment policy. An investigation found that Assemblyman Devon Mathis of Visalia made frequent sexual comments, but determined there is not enough evidence to prove more serious allegations of sexual assault.

Wed, Jul 11, 2018 1:42 pm

Altering the balance of campaign power

Stockton Mayor Michael Tubbs, not yet 28, urges 'bold and tangible' solutions to help get people to turn out to vote, including $500 universal basic income payments to working poor.

Wed, Jul 11, 2018 4:30 am

A supermajority that hinges on one seat

Democrats are likely to regain their two-thirds "supermajority" in the state Assembly this year. Whether they also enjoy that dominance in the state Senate depends on the outcome of one contest in rural California.

Wed, Jul 11, 2018 12:01 am

Native American tribes clash with UC over bones of their ancestors

Some Native American tribes accuse the University of California of delaying the legally required return of bones, and are pushing state legislation to force UC to speed its efforts.

Tue, Jul 10, 2018 6:43 pm

Why rich people leave California. Or don’t

New research shows California's high income tax rate has not driven wealthy people to move to low-tax states, despite low-tax advocates' claim to the contrary.

Tue, Jul 10, 2018 4:30 am

California’s gone without higher ed affirmative action since 1996. Black enrollment at top UCs never recovered.

While the Trump administration caused a stir when it reversed policies encouraging affirmative action in higher ed, California’s public universities have been banned from using race in admissions for more than a decade—with striking results.

Mon, Jul 9, 2018 9:20 pm

Be prepared to reduce water use. Here’s why

California Water Resources Control board is on the verge of ordering significant reductions in water use to save fish in what chairwoman Felicia Marcus calls a crisis.

Mon, Jul 9, 2018 4:30 am

Unintended consequences of new privacy law?

California legislators passed a hastily drafted bill purporting to protect Californians' personal and financial data from exposure and exploitation. But it could run afoul of the law of unintended consequences.

Mon, Jul 9, 2018 12:01 am

Turnout climbed to 37% in California’s primary—here’s the who, where and why

California turnout topped 37 percent in the June primary—but there were wide variations that help explain the oversized power of certain slices of the electorate.

Sun, Jul 8, 2018 7:00 am

Coy about taxes and pension costs

As local government officials ask voters for tax increases, they are reluctant to tell them that the extra revenue is needed to cover pension costs. But one city is not being coy about it.

Sun, Jul 8, 2018 12:01 am

Weekly CALmatters 07/07/2018

Highlighting all of CALmatters' work over the past week

Sat, Jul 7, 2018 12:12 am

Five counties tried new voting method to turbo-charge turnout. Did it work?

In the June primary, five counties switched to a drastically new way of voting to boost turnout The result? Their average turnout shot up by 12 percent—but so did the state average.

Fri, Jul 6, 2018 12:38 pm

Weekly Walters 07/06/2018

A collection of commentaries by Dan Walters over the past week.

Fri, Jul 6, 2018 5:46 am

Why judge upheld California’s ‘sanctuary state’ law

A federal judge upheld California's sanctuary state law, saying the 10th Amendment doesn't permit the federal government to force states to help enforce federal law.

Fri, Jul 6, 2018 4:30 am

After public outcry, lawmakers revive California’s gutted net neutrality bill

Democratic legislators said today they’ve settled their differences on net neutrality in California, advancing bills that, if passed, would create the most far-reaching internet regulation since the federal government abandoned its Obama-era regulations.

Thu, Jul 5, 2018 6:12 pm

Is California’s legacy environmental law protecting the state’s beauty or blocking affordable housing?

The California Environmental Quality Control Act is the focus of heated debate, with environmentalists saying it's a success but critics saying it's been weaponized to impede housing.

Thu, Jul 5, 2018 5:46 pm

Judge rules against Trump, for California sanctuary laws—with one exception

A federal judge today ruled against the Trump administration’s attempt to immediately halt California’s so-called sanctuary laws—with one exception affecting employers.

Thu, Jul 5, 2018 1:58 pm

What was left out of the privacy legislation

Why California's new privacy legislation will allow consumers to sue over data breaches by business, but not by government.

Thu, Jul 5, 2018 4:30 am

Did Brown fix California’s budget mess? Nope

Jerry Brown has signed his 16th and final state budget, bragging that he fixed California's financial mess. But that claim, and his claim of securing the state's fiscal future, are overblown.

Thu, Jul 5, 2018 12:01 am

Genteel extortion cancels three ballot measures

Three initiatives that had qualified for the November ballot were dropped last week after their sponsors negotiated deals with the Legislature. Was it extortion? Not in the criminal sense, perhaps, but it was the adroit use of leverage.

Wed, Jul 4, 2018 12:01 am

California’s push to make people healthy—and save taxpayers money

California is testing programs to promote healthy living, prevent disease and lower the cost of care for people in Medi-Cal, the publicly funded health system that covers a third of the state's residents.

Tue, Jul 3, 2018 5:11 pm

Narrowed world: Traffic and pricey housing conspire to shrink our sliver of ‘paradise’

Many of us are paying a higher price for an ever-shrinking sliver of California paradise—and losing some of the quintessential perks of life in the Golden State.

Tue, Jul 3, 2018 9:51 am

Soda ducks one tax, but may face another

Thanks to legislation, the soda industry averted new local taxes, but it could face an initiative that would impose a new statewide tax.

Tue, Jul 3, 2018 4:30 am

A sorry piece of history; Framing gas tax initiative

California officials played an integral role in Japanese internment during World War II, as told in a new online exhibit. The gas tax initiative fight revs up.

Mon, Jul 2, 2018 4:30 am

Supreme Court decision could hit unions hard

The U.S. Supreme Court has declared that compelling non-members of public employee unions to pay dues is unconstitutional. California's unions are now scrambling to avoid an erosion of their memberships, their revenues and their political clout.

Mon, Jul 2, 2018 12:01 am

GOP’s long slide into irrelevance in California

California once had a strong and successful Republican Party but over the last few decades, it has shrunken to a small minority of voters and if ti loses several congressional races this year, Democrats will have achieved total domination.

Sun, Jul 1, 2018 12:01 am

Weekly CALmatters 06/30/2018

Highlighting all of CALmatters' work over the past week

Sat, Jun 30, 2018 12:12 am

Special interests win as lawmakers cut last-minute deals to pull initiatives off your ballot

An optimist might cheer the fact that lawmakers were doing their jobs. Others label it legal extortion.

Fri, Jun 29, 2018 11:48 am

Gimme Shelter podcast: The rent control war

Please subscribe to us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Soundcloud, Google Play and Overcast. One housing issue will overshadow all others this election: Rent control. Matt and Liam discuss why renewed negotiations to remove a controversial rent control initiative from the ballot went nowhere, and what the campaigns will look like this fall. First, Matt proposes a solution to the Los […]

Fri, Jun 29, 2018 10:14 am

Weekly Walters 06/29/2018

A collection of commentaries by Dan Walters over the past week.

Fri, Jun 29, 2018 5:46 am

Initiatives you won’t and will vote on this November

California legislators averted costly initiative wars on privacy, lead paint and soda taxes. But voters will decide daylight savings time and gas tax repeal in November. San Francisco Mayor-elect London Breed urged legislators to expand car for mentally ill homeless people.

Fri, Jun 29, 2018 4:30 am

CALQuiz: More lawsuits against Trump, a new California budget and the homeless crisis

Do you consider yourself an expert on California news? Let’s see if you’ve been paying attention this week to the big stories on politics and policy in the Golden State. Test your knowledge and share your score.

Fri, Jun 29, 2018 12:01 am

Candidates for superintendent of public instruction tangled over prison officers' pay. Marshall Tuck said Tony Thurmond should not have voted to raise correctional officers' pay by 5 percent, at a cost of more than $114 million.

Kevin de León, a state senator who wants to unseat U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein, won the endorsement last weekend of the state Democratic Party executive committee, but she enjoys strong support from Democratic voters and is still likely to win re-election in November.

A pilot project uses diet to improve the health of people with congestive heart failure—and save the state millions of dollars. Taxpayers foot the health care bill for about a third of California's residents. Part 2 of a CALmatters series on state efforts to fight chronic illness.

Gov. Jerry Brown, who began his career nearly 50 years ago by winning a Los Angeles community college seat, visited the Community College Board of Trustees Monday to describe his vision for the future of online education.

A bill advancing in California's Legislature would allow students to transfer to a school outside their own district, but only if they are foster children, migrants, previously or currently homeless, plus one other category with a broader scope: kids being bullied.

California voters will have a chance to vote on an $8.9 billion water bond that would pay for environmental restoration, clean drinking water and help rebuild the Friant-Kern Canal, damaged by subsidence.

California's education establishment is fighting a running battle with school reformers and civil rights groups over accountability for helping "at-risk" kids, and the battle will resume after voters elect a new governor and a new state schools superintendent.

A rebuke, a snub, a progressive smackdown—these are the terms headlining coverage of the California Democratic Party executive council's vote this weekend to back liberal state legislator Kevin de León in his longshot bid to unseat veteran U.S. Dianne Feinstein.

California has a big stake in results from the 2020 federal census and is battling with the Trump administration over the details, especially a new question about citizenship. California officials fear that the state's population will be undercounted.

Highlighting all of CALmatters' work over the past week

A collection of commentaries by Dan Walters over the past week.

California legislators confront the question of how to pay for fire damage. Should PG&E be relieved of costs related to devastating 2017 wildfires, and should the law be changed for future fires?

Rivals for the governor's office Gavin Newsom and John Cox agree that wildfires pose an alarming threat to California—but what would they do to prevent and combat them? Here's what they told us.

In Sacramento, the biggest fights are over wildfire liability—who pays for billions of dollars of damages that result from the loss of so many homes, businesses and lives?—and how much utilities like PG&E can pass liability costs onto their customers.

The Air Resources Board announced greenhouse gas emissions fell in 2016, even as fuel consumption increased. The main reasons: Greater use of solar, wind and hydropower.

The North Coast Railroad Authority has consumed tens of millions of taxpayer dollars but never delivered on its promise to resurrect rail service north of San Francisco Bay. Finally, the Legislature is poised to abolish it.

California Democrats have either concocted a clever way to thwart the Trump administration’s tax plan by gaming the tax credit programs, or they're engaging in magical thinking.

Bills to manage California's power supply await the Legislature when it returns from July recess. At issue is the state's ability to provide electricity consistently, even when an unexpected demand or oversupply arises.

Stockton Mayor Michael Tubbs, not yet 28, urges 'bold and tangible' solutions to help get people to turn out to vote, including $500 universal basic income payments to working poor.

Democrats are likely to regain their two-thirds "supermajority" in the state Assembly this year. Whether they also enjoy that dominance in the state Senate depends on the outcome of one contest in rural California.

Some Native American tribes accuse the University of California of delaying the legally required return of bones, and are pushing state legislation to force UC to speed its efforts.

New research shows California's high income tax rate has not driven wealthy people to move to low-tax states, despite low-tax advocates' claim to the contrary.

While the Trump administration caused a stir when it reversed policies encouraging affirmative action in higher ed, California’s public universities have been banned from using race in admissions for more than a decade—with striking results.

California Water Resources Control board is on the verge of ordering significant reductions in water use to save fish in what chairwoman Felicia Marcus calls a crisis.

California legislators passed a hastily drafted bill purporting to protect Californians' personal and financial data from exposure and exploitation. But it could run afoul of the law of unintended consequences.

California turnout topped 37 percent in the June primary—but there were wide variations that help explain the oversized power of certain slices of the electorate.

As local government officials ask voters for tax increases, they are reluctant to tell them that the extra revenue is needed to cover pension costs. But one city is not being coy about it.

Highlighting all of CALmatters' work over the past week

In the June primary, five counties switched to a drastically new way of voting to boost turnout The result? Their average turnout shot up by 12 percent—but so did the state average.

A collection of commentaries by Dan Walters over the past week.

A federal judge upheld California's sanctuary state law, saying the 10th Amendment doesn't permit the federal government to force states to help enforce federal law.

Democratic legislators said today they’ve settled their differences on net neutrality in California, advancing bills that, if passed, would create the most far-reaching internet regulation since the federal government abandoned its Obama-era regulations.

The California Environmental Quality Control Act is the focus of heated debate, with environmentalists saying it's a success but critics saying it's been weaponized to impede housing.

A federal judge today ruled against the Trump administration’s attempt to immediately halt California’s so-called sanctuary laws—with one exception affecting employers.

Why California's new privacy legislation will allow consumers to sue over data breaches by business, but not by government.

Jerry Brown has signed his 16th and final state budget, bragging that he fixed California's financial mess. But that claim, and his claim of securing the state's fiscal future, are overblown.

Three initiatives that had qualified for the November ballot were dropped last week after their sponsors negotiated deals with the Legislature. Was it extortion? Not in the criminal sense, perhaps, but it was the adroit use of leverage.

California is testing programs to promote healthy living, prevent disease and lower the cost of care for people in Medi-Cal, the publicly funded health system that covers a third of the state's residents.

Many of us are paying a higher price for an ever-shrinking sliver of California paradise—and losing some of the quintessential perks of life in the Golden State.

Thanks to legislation, the soda industry averted new local taxes, but it could face an initiative that would impose a new statewide tax.

California officials played an integral role in Japanese internment during World War II, as told in a new online exhibit. The gas tax initiative fight revs up.

The U.S. Supreme Court has declared that compelling non-members of public employee unions to pay dues is unconstitutional. California's unions are now scrambling to avoid an erosion of their memberships, their revenues and their political clout.

California once had a strong and successful Republican Party but over the last few decades, it has shrunken to a small minority of voters and if ti loses several congressional races this year, Democrats will have achieved total domination.

Highlighting all of CALmatters' work over the past week

An optimist might cheer the fact that lawmakers were doing their jobs. Others label it legal extortion.

A collection of commentaries by Dan Walters over the past week.

California legislators averted costly initiative wars on privacy, lead paint and soda taxes. But voters will decide daylight savings time and gas tax repeal in November. San Francisco Mayor-elect London Breed urged legislators to expand car for mentally ill homeless people.

Do you consider yourself an expert on California news? Let’s see if you’ve been paying attention this week to the big stories on politics and policy in the Golden State. Test your knowledge and share your score.

Index