While California is the nation’s most populous and richest state – and has been for a half-century – it hasn’t wielded the level of national political power one might expect from that status. New York, still the nation’s financial center, and Texas, California’s chief cultural and economic rival, have been...
Tesla Heads Down New Road With Car Insurance in California
SAN FRANCISCO — Tesla owners in California can now buy insurance from the electric car company in what may be the first step toward the unconventional automaker providing coverage for a fleet of driverless taxis. The expansion announced this week comes four months after Tesla CEO Elon Musk told analysts the company...
California Should Make Clear There Is a Right to Housing, Not Simply Shelter
There are two ways to tackle California’s greatest public safety, public health and humanitarian crisis: homelessness. One way is to marshal resources, build programs, replicate successes, and say, with some justification, that we have helped a lot of people, even if the overall situation isn’t much better. The other way...
Lawmakers Tackle a Severe Housing Shortage for Renters Who Have Federal Vouchers
By Manuela Tobias, The Fresno Bee and Jackie Botts, CalMatters As California struggles with a crisis in affordable housing, state lawmakers are trying to improve a severe shortage of housing available to renters who have federal Section 8 vouchers. The vouchers allow tenants to pay only 30% of their income...
Campaign Panel Investigates California Lawmaker's Spending
SACRAMENTO — California's campaign watchdog said Thursday that it's investigating allegations that a sitting state lawmaker used campaign funds to fly his family to a Boston Red Sox baseball game, among other purported examples of lavish spending. The Fair Political Practices Commission released a letter saying it is reviewing allegations...
Deal on California Charter Schools Overhaul Announced
SACRAMENTO — Gov. Gavin Newsom announced a deal on Wednesday that would overhaul how the state authorizes and judges its charter schools. The Legislature must still approve it, which appears to be a formality after its top two leaders endorsed it. California has seen growing charter school enrollment in communities serving...
Deal on California Charter Schools Overhaul Announced
SACRAMENTO — Gov. Gavin Newsom announced a deal on Wednesday that would overhaul how the state authorizes and judges its charter schools. The Legislature must still approve it, which appears to be a formality after its top two leaders endorsed it. California has seen growing charter school enrollment in communities serving...
Republican Closer to Joining Spouse as California Lawmaker
SACRAMENTO — A Republican candidate seeking to join her husband in California's Legislature will face off in a November special election against a Democratic opponent in a sprawling, Republican-leaning Northern California district. Democrat Elizabeth Betancourt had 39% of the vote to Republican Megan Dahle's 36% after Tuesday's special primary election...
Eastern Sierra Gets New Forest Service District Ranger
RENO, Nev. — A Forest Service district ranger in southwest Colorado who also worked as a natural resource specialist in Utah is the new head of the Carson Ranger District covering the eastern Sierra in northern California and southern Nevada. Humboldt-Toiyabe Forest Supervisor Bill Dunkelberger praised Matthew Zumstein's diverse experience...
Family of Man Killed by Off-Duty Officer Wants Prosecution
CORONA — The parents of a mentally ill man who was fatally shot by an off-duty police officer in a California Costco store called for him to be criminally charged as they recover from their own gunshot wounds. Salvador Sanchez, a Los Angeles police officer, has said he opened fire...