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:

My turn: Jerry Brown must not grant mass clemency to death row inmates

Anti-death penalty activists are calling on Jerry Brown to commute all death sentences in California. Like all governors, Brownis vested with a broad power to grant clemency. With that broad power comes the responsibility to use it for its intended purpose and not to block laws where the governor merely disagrees with the people’s decision. The responsible choice, the respectful choice, the democratic choice is to just say no to blanket commutation.

Tue, Dec 18, 2018 10:57 am

Homeless in CA, a death penalty push and a quiz on Jerry Brown

Good news on California's homeless, governors ask Jerry Brown to show leniency, labor gets a seat at Newsom's table and how well do you know the governor?

Tue, Dec 18, 2018 4:30 am

Think you know Jerry Brown? We’re out to stump you with 16 questions about California’s exiting governor

His frugality, his globe-trotting, his French filmmaker muse and the punk song he inspired—we test you with a question for every year Jerry Brown has governed California.

Mon, Dec 17, 2018 7:28 pm

My turn: What approval ratings say about Jerry Brown’s legacy

Gov. Jerry Brown and the Legislature took the drama out of the annual budget process, passed popular laws on education funding and climate change, responded to crises such as drought and wildfire, and maintained a united front against Trump’s unpopular policies. His tenure offers a successful model for governing the state in the future. Will Brown be a hard act to follow for Gavin Newsom? Maintaining fiscal stability and an effective partnership with the Legislature will be the key ingredients.

Mon, Dec 17, 2018 11:37 am

The coming battles over Obamacare, schools, housing and cap and trade

California reacts to the Obamacare ruling, lawmakers make school spending wish lists as LAUSD plans a walkout, cap and trade's flaw, and housing control.

Mon, Dec 17, 2018 4:30 am

It’s smelly business as usual in LA County

A many-sided battle over control of Tres Hermanos, a 2,500-acre Southern California cattle ranch, is business as usual in southeastern Los Angeles County.

Mon, Dec 17, 2018 12:01 am

My turn: Recalling Jerry Brown’s first Supreme Court choice as his final pick faces confirmation

Rose Elizabeth Bird, the court’s first woman, remains Jerry Brown’s most consequential judicial appointment. It's possible to trace bare-knuckled fights over the judiciary to the ones over her confirmation and retention. Today’s court again is led by a woman, Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye, and its rulings rarely resonate beyond legal circles. But the war on the judiciary continues.

Sun, Dec 16, 2018 9:00 am

Can California afford Gavin Newsom’s vision for school kids? Here’s your K-12 primer for 2019

Universal preschool. Top ranked per-pupil spending. Data tracking from toddlerhood to universities. Newsom is giving schools a tough assignment for 2019.

Sun, Dec 16, 2018 8:00 am

Housing shortage will bite California’s economy

California will suffer economically if it doesn't do something about its chronic and growing housing shortage, as a new report on Ventura County's economy shows.

Sun, Dec 16, 2018 12:01 am

Weekly CALmatters 12/14/2018

Highlighting all of CALmatters' work over the past week

Fri, Dec 14, 2018 7:51 pm

Wiener: State will never reach Newsom’s housing goals without taking power from cities

Gov.-elect Gavin Newsom may have set an astronomical goal for allowing construction of 3.5 million new housing units in California by 2025, but a key Democratic state senator says it will never happen unless the the state pries away some local control over housing decisions.

Fri, Dec 14, 2018 3:01 pm

Big polluters get help from the state, renewing doubts about California’s climate goals

The state may not be able to cut enough greenhouse gases by 2030, says Mary Nichols, who chairs California's Air Resources Board.

Fri, Dec 14, 2018 12:02 pm

Weekly Walters 12/14/2018

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

Fri, Dec 14, 2018 4:46 am

Judges, beaches, COP24 and a heartbreaking fire map

California's top judge leaves her party, the Brock Turner judge asks for money, a memory of the late Judge Newsom, and fingerpointing at the COP.

Fri, Dec 14, 2018 4:30 am

Chief justice of the California Supreme Court leaves the Republican Party, citing Kavanaugh

California Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye has quietly given up her Republican registration and re-registered as a no-party preference voter, citing the Kavanaugh U.S. Supreme Court nomination and saying she had become increasingly uncomfortable with the GOP’s direction nationally and in the state.

Thu, Dec 13, 2018 4:55 pm

My turn: A third party can emerge in California. Here’s a path

A new centrist third party movement should look for allies among the Legislature’s moderate Democratic caucus and New Way Republicans to facilitate productive trans-partisan conversation. Political centrists believe a balanced approach is the best path forward for California, but would be foolish to ignore ideas from others who with different ideological perspectives.

Thu, Dec 13, 2018 12:48 pm

California’s economy, Newsom’s circle and a water vote

Californians aren't sunny, economists offer advice for Gavin Newsom, a water vote pushes a deal, a Newsom adviser raises questions, and a fire bill lands.

Thu, Dec 13, 2018 4:30 am

Pension benefits hinge on state Supreme Court case

Cases pending before the state Supreme Court could have a huge impact on the pensions of public employees. They specifically involve challenges to a mild pension reform sponsored by Gov. Jerry Brown but could result in a broader ruling that would open the door to pension benefit reductions.

Thu, Dec 13, 2018 12:01 am

Poll: Despite surging economy, Californians anxious about future and want change

Many California are eager for change and a majority are downright pessimistic about California's future, according to a new survey from the nonpartisan Public Policy Institute of California.

Wed, Dec 12, 2018 9:00 pm

As the revolving door turns, a Capitol fixer is poised to ascend with Gavin Newsom—and legal weed

Jason Kinney has made a lucrative and powerful career in Sacramento by moving from government to campaigns to industry lobbyist to, now, advisor to Gavin Newsom's transition team. The question is whether he is working for an incoming administration that he will soon seek to influence, as he leaves the lobbying firm, Capitol Strategies.

Wed, Dec 12, 2018 8:00 pm

Go local on housing, forget the surplus: Advice for the new governor from economists

The uncertainty of a U.S. trade dispute with China, which could trigger a recession, to a lack of affordable housing are among some of the chief concerns of economists as Gavin Newsom takes the helm in California.

Wed, Dec 12, 2018 5:07 pm

My turn: Not to say I told them so, but I did tell CA Republicans so

Why are California Republicans so misaligned with voter sentiment? They delude themselves into believing there is a silent conservative majority out there somewhere, if only they can put up the right candidates.

Wed, Dec 12, 2018 2:04 pm

Tejon Ranch, Trump vs. CA, the spotlight hits Dems hard

Tejon Ranch gets approved after 20 years of fighting, Trump takes on California's border, immigrants and Nancy Pelosi, and the spotlight falls on Democrats.

Wed, Dec 12, 2018 4:30 am

Harassment case tarnishes Sen. Kamala Harris

One of U.S. Sen. Kamala Harris' top aides resigned after the Sacramento Bee reported the secret settlement on a harassment suit against him, but incredibly, Harris professes ignorance about the suit or the settlement.

Wed, Dec 12, 2018 12:01 am

My turn: What Oakland can teach California about gun violence prevention

Oakland, long synonymous with gun violence, is suddenly emerging as a national leader in the field of violence prevention. Since 2012, shootings are down more than 50 percent and are on pace to reach their lowest levels in decades. California leaders have much to learn from how people in Oakland came together to rewrite the violence reduction playbook.

Tue, Dec 11, 2018 3:18 pm

California AG labels Trump’s draft “public charge” crackdown on immigrants reckless—and unconstitutional

California Attorney General Xavier Becerra is labeling as unconstitutional the Trump administration’s proposed rule that would block some legal immigrants from getting a green card if they’ve used—or may use in the future—public services like health care, food assistance and housing programs.

Tue, Dec 11, 2018 10:18 am

My turn: We can prevent gun violence. Here’s one way

Tue, Dec 11, 2018 8:00 am

FPPC sanctions, Trump threats, a Trekkie tax credit

California's campaign finance watchdog barks up the wrong tree, Trump threatens CA water, businesses and immigrants and Star Trek gets a film tax credit.

Tue, Dec 11, 2018 4:30 am

My turn: Gavin Newsom should embrace a digital transformation of state government

Up to this point, information technology systems have been the province of system administrators. Now, a digital transformation must be a focus of incoming Gov. Newsom. The choice is simple. California can continue its role as a lighthouse state or let others pass us by.

Mon, Dec 10, 2018 11:18 am

Water, Obamacare and a GOP shellacking

Good morning, California. “The proximate cause of 22 years of election losses are changing demographics and our inability to connect with non-white voters. … A president with an approval rating in the low 30s in your state can’t be all that helpful to you.”—Outgoing California Republican Party Chairman Jim Brulte to NBC News. At the 2016 […]

Mon, Dec 10, 2018 4:30 am

Time ripens for much-needed school data system

California lacks a comprehensive data system to track how well its K-12 students are learning, but that may change with Gavin Newsom's succession to the governorship.

Mon, Dec 10, 2018 12:01 am

My turn: The last time two Democrats exchanged power

It has been 132 years since a Democrat governor of California last turned over the keys to the Capitol’s corner office to another Democrat. Social and technological changes of the past 132 years have been vast. But some political rhetoric is uncomfortably similar.

Sun, Dec 9, 2018 9:00 am

Rethinking California’s electric utilities

With the state's big, investor-owned electric utilities on the hot seat for wildfire damages, maybe it's time to consider making them into fully public entities.

Sun, Dec 9, 2018 12:01 am

Weekly CALmatters 12/07/2018

Highlighting all of CALmatters' work over the past week

Fri, Dec 7, 2018 9:49 pm

State explores how to counteract end of Obamacare mandate‚ or risk a million more Californians without health insurance

California could create its own mandate or subsidies—or both—to keep up to a million people from going without health insurance, now that the Trump administration has canceled the Obamacare mandate that everyone be insured or pay a penalty.

Fri, Dec 7, 2018 4:36 pm

Weekly Walters 12/07/2018

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

Fri, Dec 7, 2018 4:46 am

School dashboards, Dieselgate power struggles, animal rights

California's School Dashboard reports, Dieselgate funds start a fight, a GOP candidate tweets and lawmakers and ferret lovers want animal rights.

Fri, Dec 7, 2018 4:30 am

My turn: How Newsom could create a new golden era for higher education

Fri, Dec 7, 2018 4:29 am

CALQuiz: A Harris aide resigns, a housing bill returns, and the state works to stop floods

Thu, Dec 6, 2018 5:05 pm

New California School Dashboard paints a colorful picture—in which one in three school districts needs help

Fewer than half of California's schools got a passing grade in English on Calfornia's School Dashboard, and only about a third passed in math. The state's colorful new assessment tool, in its second year, expands beyond test scores to include graduation rates, absenteeism, college readiness and other measures, but the big picture remains grim.

Thu, Dec 6, 2018 12:46 pm

My turn: Newsom must prepare for the worst. Here’s a roadmap

The historical record no longer brackets what we can expect in intensity or duration from drought, flood, or wildfire. So we cannot move quickly enough to cut emissions from our millions of tailpipes in California, and we must change state governance, funding, and planning as necessary—no matter how difficult—to get ready for the worst.

Thu, Dec 6, 2018 11:42 am

Today’s docket: Pensions, CalSavers, Kamala Harris, YIMBYs and PG&E

California Supreme Court weighs Jerry Brown's pension reform, Jarvis sues over retirement plans for poor workers, Kamala Harris' MeToo suit, YIMBYs, PG&E.

Thu, Dec 6, 2018 4:30 am

New water deal isn’t a political certainty

Gov. Jerry Brown, Sen. Dianne Feinstein and Republican House leader Kevin McCarthy have a deal on water in the San Joaquin Valley but its future is not certain.

Thu, Dec 6, 2018 12:01 am

A gentler, still incredibly controversial housing bill is back—with a powerful new ally

California lawmakers reconsider a controversial idea to keep cities from blocking new apartment buildings near transit. Changes make it more palatable to organized labor and the mayor of Los Angeles.

Wed, Dec 5, 2018 3:07 pm

Jerry Brown’s last stand on pension reform

The California Supreme Court is weighing a key legal precedent that could restore the generous pension formulas Jerry Brown worked so hard to tighten.

Wed, Dec 5, 2018 2:37 pm

My turn: We must build strong children

A child’s earliest months and years are critical to her or his life trajectory. We know that 90 percent of a child’s brain develops before age 5. That’s why it’s so important to invest early in our children. First 5 L.A. and First 5 organizations across the state are eager to support our governor-elect in his efforts to build strong children. Like Gavin Newsom, we know we can and should do more to build strong children today.

Wed, Dec 5, 2018 9:00 am

Newsom gets climate advice, Atkins offers ‘Trump insurance’

Gavin Newsom gets expert environmental advice, the feds estimate California wildfires' carbon footprint, Toni Atkins introduces some 'Trump insurance, wrecking levees to avert floods, a possible Newsom advisor, and a California air filter trend.

Wed, Dec 5, 2018 4:30 am

Legislature, Newsom have an ambitious agenda

The California Legislature reconvenes with stronger Democratic majorities that its leaders and Gov.-elect Gavin Newsom hope to use for an expansionist agenda, leading off with a comprehensive array of early childhood education services.

Wed, Dec 5, 2018 12:01 am

Let it flow: In about-face, state breaks and shifts levees to restore natural floodplains

A growing emphasis on reconnecting California floodplains to rivers so they can absorb floodwaters is a U-turn from past reliance on levees to protect cities and towns.

Tue, Dec 4, 2018 7:23 pm

My turn: We shouldn’t have to pay for gas company’s lobbying

Southern California Gas Co.’s business model depends on selling natural gas. So while many California utilities have begun to plan for the state’s clean energy future, SoCalGas uses ratepayer money to help pay for its lobbying to undermine that future.

Tue, Dec 4, 2018 8:00 am

Good news on California's homeless, governors ask Jerry Brown to show leniency, labor gets a seat at Newsom's table and how well do you know the governor?

His frugality, his globe-trotting, his French filmmaker muse and the punk song he inspired—we test you with a question for every year Jerry Brown has governed California.

California reacts to the Obamacare ruling, lawmakers make school spending wish lists as LAUSD plans a walkout, cap and trade's flaw, and housing control.

A many-sided battle over control of Tres Hermanos, a 2,500-acre Southern California cattle ranch, is business as usual in southeastern Los Angeles County.

Universal preschool. Top ranked per-pupil spending. Data tracking from toddlerhood to universities. Newsom is giving schools a tough assignment for 2019.

California will suffer economically if it doesn't do something about its chronic and growing housing shortage, as a new report on Ventura County's economy shows.

Highlighting all of CALmatters' work over the past week

Gov.-elect Gavin Newsom may have set an astronomical goal for allowing construction of 3.5 million new housing units in California by 2025, but a key Democratic state senator says it will never happen unless the the state pries away some local control over housing decisions.

The state may not be able to cut enough greenhouse gases by 2030, says Mary Nichols, who chairs California's Air Resources Board.

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

California's top judge leaves her party, the Brock Turner judge asks for money, a memory of the late Judge Newsom, and fingerpointing at the COP.

Californians aren't sunny, economists offer advice for Gavin Newsom, a water vote pushes a deal, a Newsom adviser raises questions, and a fire bill lands.

Cases pending before the state Supreme Court could have a huge impact on the pensions of public employees. They specifically involve challenges to a mild pension reform sponsored by Gov. Jerry Brown but could result in a broader ruling that would open the door to pension benefit reductions.

Many California are eager for change and a majority are downright pessimistic about California's future, according to a new survey from the nonpartisan Public Policy Institute of California.

The uncertainty of a U.S. trade dispute with China, which could trigger a recession, to a lack of affordable housing are among some of the chief concerns of economists as Gavin Newsom takes the helm in California.

Why are California Republicans so misaligned with voter sentiment? They delude themselves into believing there is a silent conservative majority out there somewhere, if only they can put up the right candidates.

Tejon Ranch gets approved after 20 years of fighting, Trump takes on California's border, immigrants and Nancy Pelosi, and the spotlight falls on Democrats.

One of U.S. Sen. Kamala Harris' top aides resigned after the Sacramento Bee reported the secret settlement on a harassment suit against him, but incredibly, Harris professes ignorance about the suit or the settlement.

California's campaign finance watchdog barks up the wrong tree, Trump threatens CA water, businesses and immigrants and Star Trek gets a film tax credit.

Up to this point, information technology systems have been the province of system administrators. Now, a digital transformation must be a focus of incoming Gov. Newsom. The choice is simple. California can continue its role as a lighthouse state or let others pass us by.

California lacks a comprehensive data system to track how well its K-12 students are learning, but that may change with Gavin Newsom's succession to the governorship.

It has been 132 years since a Democrat governor of California last turned over the keys to the Capitol’s corner office to another Democrat. Social and technological changes of the past 132 years have been vast. But some political rhetoric is uncomfortably similar.

With the state's big, investor-owned electric utilities on the hot seat for wildfire damages, maybe it's time to consider making them into fully public entities.

Highlighting all of CALmatters' work over the past week

California could create its own mandate or subsidies—or both—to keep up to a million people from going without health insurance, now that the Trump administration has canceled the Obamacare mandate that everyone be insured or pay a penalty.

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

California's School Dashboard reports, Dieselgate funds start a fight, a GOP candidate tweets and lawmakers and ferret lovers want animal rights.

California Supreme Court weighs Jerry Brown's pension reform, Jarvis sues over retirement plans for poor workers, Kamala Harris' MeToo suit, YIMBYs, PG&E.

Gov. Jerry Brown, Sen. Dianne Feinstein and Republican House leader Kevin McCarthy have a deal on water in the San Joaquin Valley but its future is not certain.

California lawmakers reconsider a controversial idea to keep cities from blocking new apartment buildings near transit. Changes make it more palatable to organized labor and the mayor of Los Angeles.

The California Supreme Court is weighing a key legal precedent that could restore the generous pension formulas Jerry Brown worked so hard to tighten.

Gavin Newsom gets expert environmental advice, the feds estimate California wildfires' carbon footprint, Toni Atkins introduces some 'Trump insurance, wrecking levees to avert floods, a possible Newsom advisor, and a California air filter trend.

The California Legislature reconvenes with stronger Democratic majorities that its leaders and Gov.-elect Gavin Newsom hope to use for an expansionist agenda, leading off with a comprehensive array of early childhood education services.

A growing emphasis on reconnecting California floodplains to rivers so they can absorb floodwaters is a U-turn from past reliance on levees to protect cities and towns.

Southern California Gas Co.’s business model depends on selling natural gas. So while many California utilities have begun to plan for the state’s clean energy future, SoCalGas uses ratepayer money to help pay for its lobbying to undermine that future.

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