CALMatters | Almanac 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:

Follow the ricochets: Those campaign ads may have hidden targets

Why would a group trying to elect Democrats buy ads promoting their Republican opponents to conservative watchers of Fox News? Because California’s election rules have turned normal campaign tactics on their head.

Fri, May 25, 2018 12:30 pm

A scaled-back bid to care for undocumented Californians

A Democratic bid to extend government health coverage to all undocumented, low-income adults in California has been put on hold. Lawmakers now hope to cover at least the seniors and the disabled.

Fri, May 25, 2018 12:05 pm

Dan Walters Commentary Roundup 05/25/2018

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

Fri, May 25, 2018 9:16 am

Jerry Brown has a promise to keep

Good Friday morning, California “And we have a very inexpensive dinner at the Mansion” — Gov. Jerry Brown, telling business leaders Thursday that he sometimes gets one $7.75 Chipotle burrito bowl and bottle of wine to share with First Lady Anne Gust Brown. Chipotle’s Mexican Grill announced this week it’s moving its headquarters to Newport […]

Fri, May 25, 2018 4:30 am

Gimme Shelter podcast: Evictions and tenants’ rights

Please subscribe to us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Soundcloud, Google Play and Overcast. Matt and Liam discuss a handful of tenants’ rights bills with uncertain futures currently making their way through the Legislature. First, an Avocado of the Fortnight asks what historians will make of a Los Angeles-area gas station decades from now (2:30). The Number of the Fortnight introduces […]

Thu, May 24, 2018 3:41 pm

Is California’s high cost of housing cost scaring off job seekers?

California employers and job recruiters find it tough to lure out-of-state workers at a time when unemployment rates are falling and housing prices are rising.

Thu, May 24, 2018 10:00 am

California Quiz: How well do you know your candidates for governor?

So much to learn about the top contenders vying to run California—and so little time. Who rode in the Goodyear Blimp? Who holds a Guinness World Record? Test your knowledge:

Thu, May 24, 2018 12:07 pm

Candidates for California schools’ chief vow to wield more influence—but for what?

Both frontrunners to be California's new superintendent of schools say they will transform the post into a more forceful voice for education reform—but their split on charter schools may be decisive in this costly campaign.

Thu, May 24, 2018 11:06 am

Trump helps John Cox, for now

Donald Trump's endorsement of Republican John Cox will help in the June primary but not in the fall general election campaign. Don't count Antonio Villaraigosa out quite yet.

Thu, May 24, 2018 4:30 am

CalPERS’ new investment plan – wise or risky?

The huge pension fund that covers pensions for California's state and local government employees is unveiling a new investment strategy. However, the California Public Employees Retirement System has a spotty track record, so there's reason to be skeptical.

Thu, May 24, 2018 12:01 am

Unpacking the latest polls: Top takeaways for the California primary

With the California primary less than two weeks away, two new polls provide some clues to what voters are thinking. And while the state overall still looks true blue, the surveys do give Democrats a few reasons to worry. Here are key takeaways: Second spot in the top-two contest for governor is still uncertain In a […]

Wed, May 23, 2018 8:26 pm

Go big or go home: How to run statewide in California when you’re not rich, famous or in office

In California—a massive state with a pricey, fragmented media market and spotty voter participation—sometimes it pays to run a creative, out-of-the-box campaign.

Wed, May 23, 2018 6:51 pm

Billionaires’ money helps a most unlikely candidate

Good morning, California. “Illegal cannabis plantations have an extraordinarily destructive impact on the redwood forest ecosystem” — Save the Redwoods League supporting a bill seeking more prosecutions for destruction of forests. Meet Robert Newman, Republican running for governorA mailer sent to conservative households, funded by the independent campaign committee, Families & Teachers for Antonio Villaraigosa.The […]

Wed, May 23, 2018 4:30 am

Campaigns try to fool California voters

California political campaigns often try to fool voters into supporting candidates and causes they might otherwise not favor. This year's campaigns include misleading attacks with hidden motives and "slate mailers" that candidates pay for recommendations.

Wed, May 23, 2018 12:01 am

California could cut your high sales tax if it taxed business services. Why that won’t happen—yet

Some California lawmakers want to create a new business services tax, which they say would allow the state to cut California’s high sales tax to consumers and pull the state’s antiquated tax code into the 21st century. Here's why it's a long shot—getting more attention than ever before.

Tue, May 22, 2018 4:14 pm

Checking the math on cap and trade, some experts say it’s not adding up

As California ramps up its efforts to reduce greenhouse gases, experts say the state may not meet its targets. Emissions could soar 30 percent too high in a little more than a decade, state analysts say.

Tue, May 22, 2018 11:03 am

California’s answer to Texas school shooting

Good morning, California. “I feel awful about this” — U.S. Sen. Kamala Harris, to New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof writing about her failure as state attorney general to seek new DNA testing for a California man who is on San Quentin’s Death Row for a quadruple murder in Chino Hills in 1983 California Democrats’ […]

Tue, May 22, 2018 4:30 am

Have you seen a campaign ad on social media?

Is your social media feed filling up with political campaign ads? Our reporter Laurel Rosenhall wants to see them. After you submit an ad, Laurel may contact you for a story about how campaigns use social media to communicate with voters. There are multiple ways to submit the ads you see on your social media […]

Mon, May 21, 2018 4:55 pm

In race to unseat attorney general, why rival Dave Jones says Becerra doesn’t belong in this courtroom

Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones is accusing the many who wants to unseat, Attorney General Xavier Becerra, of violating “the very law he is sworn to uphold.” How? By filming campaign commercials inside a courthouse.

Mon, May 21, 2018 4:32 pm

CALmatters Weekly Roundup 05/21/2018

Highlighting all of CALmatters' work over the past week

Mon, May 21, 2018 12:51 pm

Why is Cole Harris spending $2.2 million?

Good Monday morning, California. By tweet, President Trump endorsed Republican John Cox for governor on Friday. Cox tweeted his delight. House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy might have been happiest of all. The theory: If Cox is the GOP nominee in the fall, Republicans will have more reason to go to the polls. And they’d vote for […]

Mon, May 21, 2018 4:30 am

California’s primary vote could be decisive

California's June 5 primary election could be more than decisive than usual. Voters could effectively make Democrat Gavin Newsom the next governor by giving Republican John Cox a second-place finish and could spoil Democratic hopes of making big congressional gains in the state.

Mon, May 21, 2018 12:01 am

Prison inmates are down, but costs still going up

Under pressure from federal courts, California has sharply reduced numbers of inmates in state prisons. However, "corrections" costs are still rising and California is now spending $75,000 per year per inmate.

Sun, May 20, 2018 12:01 am

President Trump endorses John Cox for governor—hoping to keep Congress in Republican hands

President Trump threw the California's governor's race into a tizzy today with his surprise endorsement of Republican San Diego businessman John Cox—despite the fact that Cox acknowledges he didn't vote for Trump. The announcement undercut Trump-boosting GOP candidate Travis Allen—and complicated Democratic contender Antonio Villaraigosa's hopes to emerge a victory in California's top-two primary.

Fri, May 18, 2018 4:49 pm

California fights the Trump administration on abortion rule

Washington plans to deny certain funds to groups that provide abortions or make referrals for the procedure. California leads a coalition that supports a Planned Parenthood effort to head off the new rule.

Fri, May 18, 2018 2:55 pm

Dan Walters Commentary Roundup 05/18/2018

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

Fri, May 18, 2018 9:16 am

Chilly reception awaits Cristina Garcia

Good morning, California. CALmatters’ editor Dave Lesher and I spent a great Thursday evening as guests of CALmatters’ supporter Lenny Mendonca at his Half Moon Bay Brewing Co., talking politics with a crowd of engaged Californians at his regular Brews & Views. Cristina Garcia’s imminent returnAssemblywoman Cristina Garcia and Speaker Anthony Rendon last year.Assemblywoman Cristina […]

Fri, May 18, 2018 4:30 am

Investigation finds Assemblywoman Cristina Garcia violated sexual harassment policy—but only with vulgar language

On a leave of absence from the Legislature since she was accused of sexual harassment in February—and facing intensifying attacks in her re-election campaign—Assemblywoman Cristina Garcia jumped back into the fray Thursday, sending out a press release saying she’d been “exonerated.” Not quite.

Thu, May 17, 2018 7:29 pm

Democratic dread: Party tries to keep California’s odd election rules from denying them the U.S. House

California Democrats know exactly the trouble they’re in: They have too many candidates, it's too late to back down, and they risk cancelling each other out. Now the party's scrambling to try to ensure this quirk in election rules doesn't cost the party its opportunity to retake the House of Representatives.

Thu, May 17, 2018 7:10 pm

Tesla is on guard for unfriendly legislators

“@realDonaldTrump is lying on immigration, lying about crime and lying about the laws of CA. Flying in a dozen Republican politicians to flatter him and praise his reckless policies changes nothing. We, the citizens of the fifth largest economy in the world, are not impressed.” — Gov. Jerry Brown tweeted, with a Pinocchio emoji, referring to […]

Thu, May 17, 2018 4:30 am

Lots of candidates, lots of uncertainty

With dozens of candidates for the U.S. Senate and governor this year, handicapping the June 5 primary election is difficult. The biggest unknown is whether Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom will have the luxury of a Republican opponent in November, or will face fellow Democrat Antonio Villaraigosa.

Thu, May 17, 2018 12:01 am

What a $500,000 home looks like around California–and how it shapes where we move

The median price of a California single family home is now well over half a million dollars. That’s more than double what the average house costs in the rest of the U.S. Put a more nauseating way, you could buy two “average” non-California houses for the price of one California house. Can’t decide between the […]

Thu, May 17, 2018 12:01 am

Billionaires vs teachers union: Charter school fight amps up race for California governor

Charter school supporters may be an effective counterbalance to the prevailing influence public-employee unions have long exerted on Democratic politics in California. But the billions in campaign donations by pro-charter tycoons also points to the outsized sway personal wealth can have on elections.

Wed, May 16, 2018 9:04 pm

Trump hosts California Republicans, exploring how to undercut California’s sanctuary law

The Orange County anti-sanctuary uprising takes the national stage today, as a coalition of politicians are in Washington to talk Republican political strategy with President Trump.

Wed, May 16, 2018 12:10 pm

What’s next for aid-in-dying law?

Good morning, California. “It has simply become too difficult and too costly to run a manufacturing business in Sonoma Valley,” Price Pump President Bob Piazza said, explaining why he’s moving his company founded in 1932 in Emeryville to Boise, Idaho — North Bay Business Journal. Death-with-dignity law in jeopardyBrittany Maynard, who spent her final days […]

Wed, May 16, 2018 4:30 am

Jerry Brown once again shuns tax reform

Gov. Jerry Brown once again is warning about the heavy impact of recession on the state budget. However, he continues to shun reforming the state's tax system to reduce revenue volatility and therefore lessen the impact.

Wed, May 16, 2018 12:01 am

Crowded, crumbling classrooms—will one-time cash infusion be enough to fix the University of California?

As state funding has decreased and enrollment has soared, University of California campuses are struggling to deal with many instances of overcrowded lectures, deteriorating buildings and delayed construction. Now the governor's offering $100 million for upgrades. UC says it's not nearly enough.

Tue, May 15, 2018 7:27 pm

Auto mileage and emissions: Will Washington and California be negotiating?

News reports say federal officials are to negotiate auto emission and fuel-efficiency standards with California. But the state's air regulators haven't heard from Washington yet.

Tue, May 15, 2018 4:22 pm

Test yourself: What does half a million buy you in other parts of California?

Tue, May 15, 2018 2:58 pm

Trump administration plan could deter legal immigrants from health care, other services

Applications for green cards could be passed over if the immigrants who submitted them use such federal programs as Medicaid, food stamps, tax credits or subsidized Obamacare insurance.

Tue, May 15, 2018 11:38 am

Video: Would candidates for governor force the mentally ill to get care?

The top candidates hoping to be the next governor of California all agree on this: The state is failing those who suffer from mental illness. Watch to see how they say they'll fix the state’s broken mental health system.

Tue, May 15, 2018 11:13 am

Don’t bet on sports wagering yet

Good morning, California. “I had this very nice new wool pantsuit. Put it on. Went to the floor of the Senate Monday afternoon.” – former Sen. Rebecca Morgan. Speaking to the Public Policy Institute of California in Sacramento Monday, Morgan recalled that cold day in 1989 when she became the first woman to wear pants […]

Tue, May 15, 2018 4:30 am

Seeking to help people in need

Good Monday morning, California. “Just 63 nutria have been killed so far. The largest was a pregnant female weighing 24 pounds.” — San Francisco Chronicle, detailing California Department of Fish & Wildlife efforts to eradicate the giant rodents native to South America before they occupy and damage the Delta. Can California finally house mentally ill? […]

Mon, May 14, 2018 4:30 am

Jerry Brown holds the line in last budget

Despite a surge of revenues, Gov. Jerry Brown holds the line on spending in his final budget. He says state overdue for recession and needs to build reserves to cushion impacts.

Mon, May 14, 2018 12:01 am

Sometimes nice guys do finish first

California’s Republican elite – yes, Virginia, there was once such a thing – gathered in the Capitol on Dec. 15, 1980, to cast the state’s 45 presidential electoral votes for Ronald Reagan. After the formalities, attendees lingered in the state Senate chambers, savoring the moment and believing that Reagan’s election was a harbinger of their […]

Sun, May 13, 2018 12:01 am

An ungiddy governor proposes stashing most of state’s surplus—and spending on one-time expenses

Nothing good lasts forever. That was the familiar message reverberating from Gov. Jerry Brown on Friday as he unveiled his updated version of the 2018-19 state budget—his 16th budget in his final term as governor.

Fri, May 11, 2018 5:29 pm

How to spend $9 billion-plus

Good Friday morning, California. “We have been in a very long drought. It is my hope that it starts to rain soon,” Sen. Kevin de Leon, a Los Angeles Democrat, told me, praying money will rain on his underfunded campaign against Sen. Dianne Feinstein. Don’t forget your mother. Mother’s Day is Sunday. What to do […]

Fri, May 11, 2018 4:30 am

Gimme Shelter podcast: Housing in the governor’s race

Housing has become a major issue in California’s race for governor. With the June primary less than a month away, Matt and Liam dive into each of the candidate’s plans to solve our affordability crisis. First, the Avocado of the Fortnight takes Matt to an extremely hot property in San Jose (2:50). Then a discussion […]

Thu, May 10, 2018 4:36 pm

Rebelling against California’s ‘sanctuary’ law—from inside California

The city of Los Alamitos went further than other California localities, voting in an "unprecedented" move not to comply with California's sanctuary policy. Now will the "Resistance State" be able to counter the resistance against it?

Thu, May 10, 2018 11:44 am

The only city in California to solve veteran homelessness is on a mission to go bigger

There are around 40,000 homeless veterans in the United States, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. More than 11,000 of them live in California.

Thu, May 10, 2018 12:00 am

Why would a group trying to elect Democrats buy ads promoting their Republican opponents to conservative watchers of Fox News? Because California’s election rules have turned normal campaign tactics on their head.

A Democratic bid to extend government health coverage to all undocumented, low-income adults in California has been put on hold. Lawmakers now hope to cover at least the seniors and the disabled.

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

California employers and job recruiters find it tough to lure out-of-state workers at a time when unemployment rates are falling and housing prices are rising.

So much to learn about the top contenders vying to run California—and so little time. Who rode in the Goodyear Blimp? Who holds a Guinness World Record? Test your knowledge:

Both frontrunners to be California's new superintendent of schools say they will transform the post into a more forceful voice for education reform—but their split on charter schools may be decisive in this costly campaign.

Donald Trump's endorsement of Republican John Cox will help in the June primary but not in the fall general election campaign. Don't count Antonio Villaraigosa out quite yet.

The huge pension fund that covers pensions for California's state and local government employees is unveiling a new investment strategy. However, the California Public Employees Retirement System has a spotty track record, so there's reason to be skeptical.

In California—a massive state with a pricey, fragmented media market and spotty voter participation—sometimes it pays to run a creative, out-of-the-box campaign.

California political campaigns often try to fool voters into supporting candidates and causes they might otherwise not favor. This year's campaigns include misleading attacks with hidden motives and "slate mailers" that candidates pay for recommendations.

Some California lawmakers want to create a new business services tax, which they say would allow the state to cut California’s high sales tax to consumers and pull the state’s antiquated tax code into the 21st century. Here's why it's a long shot—getting more attention than ever before.

As California ramps up its efforts to reduce greenhouse gases, experts say the state may not meet its targets. Emissions could soar 30 percent too high in a little more than a decade, state analysts say.

Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones is accusing the many who wants to unseat, Attorney General Xavier Becerra, of violating “the very law he is sworn to uphold.” How? By filming campaign commercials inside a courthouse.

Highlighting all of CALmatters' work over the past week

California's June 5 primary election could be more than decisive than usual. Voters could effectively make Democrat Gavin Newsom the next governor by giving Republican John Cox a second-place finish and could spoil Democratic hopes of making big congressional gains in the state.

Under pressure from federal courts, California has sharply reduced numbers of inmates in state prisons. However, "corrections" costs are still rising and California is now spending $75,000 per year per inmate.

Washington plans to deny certain funds to groups that provide abortions or make referrals for the procedure. California leads a coalition that supports a Planned Parenthood effort to head off the new rule.

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

With dozens of candidates for the U.S. Senate and governor this year, handicapping the June 5 primary election is difficult. The biggest unknown is whether Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom will have the luxury of a Republican opponent in November, or will face fellow Democrat Antonio Villaraigosa.

The Orange County anti-sanctuary uprising takes the national stage today, as a coalition of politicians are in Washington to talk Republican political strategy with President Trump.

Gov. Jerry Brown once again is warning about the heavy impact of recession on the state budget. However, he continues to shun reforming the state's tax system to reduce revenue volatility and therefore lessen the impact.

As state funding has decreased and enrollment has soared, University of California campuses are struggling to deal with many instances of overcrowded lectures, deteriorating buildings and delayed construction. Now the governor's offering $100 million for upgrades. UC says it's not nearly enough.

News reports say federal officials are to negotiate auto emission and fuel-efficiency standards with California. But the state's air regulators haven't heard from Washington yet.

Applications for green cards could be passed over if the immigrants who submitted them use such federal programs as Medicaid, food stamps, tax credits or subsidized Obamacare insurance.

The top candidates hoping to be the next governor of California all agree on this: The state is failing those who suffer from mental illness. Watch to see how they say they'll fix the state’s broken mental health system.

Despite a surge of revenues, Gov. Jerry Brown holds the line on spending in his final budget. He says state overdue for recession and needs to build reserves to cushion impacts.

Nothing good lasts forever. That was the familiar message reverberating from Gov. Jerry Brown on Friday as he unveiled his updated version of the 2018-19 state budget—his 16th budget in his final term as governor.

The city of Los Alamitos went further than other California localities, voting in an "unprecedented" move not to comply with California's sanctuary policy. Now will the "Resistance State" be able to counter the resistance against it?

There are around 40,000 homeless veterans in the United States, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. More than 11,000 of them live in California.

Index