Six years ago, as California strained to emerge from the Great Recession, Gov. Jerry Brown worked a minor political miracle — a rebalancing of the massive state pension systems for public employees. Shuttling between unions and the strapped governments on the hook for public sector benefits and paychecks, Brown scaled...
Commentary: Legislature, Newsom Have an Ambitious Agenda
The Legislature reconvened this week with Democrats celebrating sweeping election wins that give them immense majorities in both sides of the Capitol and they are intending to use them. Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom presided over the state Senate’s opening session, saying, “the world is looking to us.” Newsom will be...
Walters: Where Do Middle-of-the-Road Voters Go Now?
California Democrats’ massive victory in last month’s election made their party even more dominant at all levels of government and in doing so, confined Republicans to relatively tiny redoubts, mostly in rural areas. Calmatters political writer Ben Christopher summarized the GOP’s exile last week in this sentence: “This year, 26...
TJ Cox Declares Victory in Congressional Race
TJ Cox declared victory in his congressional race to unseat three-term incumbent David Valadao (R-Hanford) in a race that is being watched across the nation. After Wednesday (Nov. 28) vote count updates in Fresno and Kings counties, Cox proclaimed himself the winner. “I am elated to announce that we have won...
Looking Ahead, Democrats Jockey to be Pelosi’s Heir Apparent
WASHINGTON — As Nancy Pelosi moves closer to securing the votes to become House speaker, the stage is being set down-ballot for the next generation of leaders jockeying to be the Democrats' heirs apparent. Pelosi's return to the speaker's office is not a lock. One more newly-elected Democrat, Gil Cisneros...
Walters: School Reformers Lose Big, so Now What?
Donald Trump and his Republican Party were obviously big losers in this month’s California election. But so was a loose confederation of civil rights, public school reform and charter school advocates, most of whose leaders are Democrats. The reformers, at times dubbed the “Equity Coalition,” pumped many millions of dollars...
Costa Said He Doesn’t Support Pelosi for Speaker. How Will He Vote?
During his re-election campaign for Congress, Jim Costa (D-Fresno) said he has not supported Nancy Pelosi for speaker in the past and he wouldn't this time either. However, a Nov. 13 letter signed by Costa and eight other Democratic members of the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus, asks that she change...
Andrew Janz on Nunes, Politics and His Future
Andrew Janz is back on the job as a violent crimes prosecutor in the Fresno County District Attorney’s office. For a better part of the last 18 months, he campaigned for Congress, hoping to unseat 16-year incumbent Devin Nunes (R-Tulare). Although the vote results aren’t final, it appears Janz fell...
Landslide, Supermajorities, and Fat Budget Surplus: It’s Good to Be Gavin
The good news just keeps coming for California Gov.-elect Gavin Newsom. Not only did he win a resounding 60 percent-plus landslide, but he will be greeted by a two-thirds supermajority of fellow Democrats in both houses — more than sufficient to approve a tax increase. Not that he'll need it...
Pelosi Sees Vocal Opposition to her Return as House Speaker
WASHINGTON — Lawmakers trying to oust Nancy Pelosi started rallying behind a possible contender Thursday, but the House Democratic leader gained key endorsements and said she has "overwhelming support" to become the next speaker. Pelosi picked up backing from Rep. John Lewis, D-Ga., the civil rights leader, while a who's-who...