The California Coastal Commission on Thursday ordered an end to off-road vehicles at Oceano Dunes state park within three years in a decision that climaxes 40 years of acrimony and debate. The commissioners voted unanimously to approve a new coastal permit for Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area with the...
As State Attorney General Job Morphs Post-Trump, Who Will Be Newsom’s Pick?
The last time a California governor chose a new attorney general, Donald Trump had just been elected president. As Democrats geared up to make California the “Resistance State,” newly appointed state attorney general Xavier Becerra quickly went to work suing the Trump administration. He kept it up at a mind-boggling clip, filing...
Here’s Why Your Electricity Prices are High and Soaring
California’s electricity prices are among the highest in the country, new research says, and those costs are falling disproportionately on a customer base that’s already struggling to pay their bills. PG&E customers pay about 80% more per kilowatt-hour than the national average, according to a study by the energy institute at UC...
Fact-Checking Newsom’s 2021 State of the State Speech
As California’s governor delivered his annual address — this time from Dodger Stadium — the CalMatters reporting team offered the following corrections, clarifications and context. Thank you, Madame Lt. Governor, for your kind introduction. And good evening to those joining us virtually tonight – Speaker Rendon, Pro Tem Atkins, members...
Despite His Popularity, Unique Recall Rules Could Spell Trouble for Newsom
If recalls followed the rules of a normal California election — the person who wins a majority of the votes wins — then Gavin Newsom, the incumbent Democratic governor in a thoroughly Democratic state, would have nothing to worry about. But unfortunately for him, a California recall is not like an ordinary California...
A Teacher’s View: The Risk of Reopening Schools is There, but It’s Small
Like teachers across the country, I’ve been on Zoom for what feels like forever. And while I do my best to fill my third grade class with positivity and silliness, I know many of my students are struggling. When their cameras go off, it’s often because they are holding back...
Opinion: The Missing Ingredient for Restaurants in a COVID-19 Recovery
California restaurant owners and employees have celebrated the end of strict lockdowns and begun the process of reopening. While California remains the only state in the nation to continue to ban indoor dining, most of us are back cooking, serving and – especially – cleaning for our valued customers. Unfortunately...
Cap and Trade, Offsets at a Crossroads in California’s Climate Policy
Should oil refineries in California be allowed to emit extra greenhouse gases if they “offset” their effects by paying hog farmers in Iowa to reduce methane from animal waste? Or by paying landowners to promise to take better care of their trees? In other words, should offset trading based on...
Who Has the Power to Reopen California Classrooms? Here’s What to Know.
Increasingly exasperated that most public schools remain closed even as coronavirus cases plummet nearly a year into the pandemic, California parents are taking to the streets. They’re protesting in Los Angeles and Silicon Valley. They’re trying to recall school board members in San Francisco and San Ramon. They’re mounting billboards along freeways in Sonoma County and Sacramento demanding that the...
Audit Criticizes State Air Board for ‘Overstating’ Greenhouse Gas Cuts
An audit of California’s climate change program released Wednesday criticizes state officials for overestimating the benefits of its efforts to encourage Californians to drive cleaner vehicles. The state auditor warned that California may not meet its goal to cut greenhouse gases by 40% by 2030 if it doesn’t pick up...