Gov. Gavin Newsom spoke powerfully about California's homelessness crisis during his Wednesday stop in Fresno, saying “Enough is enough. We got to own this. We got to meet this moment." Listen to this article: But, in addition to fulfilling the moral imperative of giving people a hand up, the governor has...
Newsom Cheers Kaiser $25M Pledge to California Housing Fund
OAKLAND — Calling California's homeless crisis a public health issue, hospital giant Kaiser Permanente on Friday pledged $25 million to a new state fund aimed at getting people off the streets. Gov. Gavin Newsom signed an executive order last week creating what he proposes to be a $750 million fund...
Gov. Gavin Newsom Restarts Giant Water Tunnel Project
SACRAMENTO — Gov. Gavin Newsom has restarted a project to build a giant, underground tunnel that would pump billions of gallons of water from the San Joaquin Delta to the southern part of the state. Newsom's administration on Wednesday issued a Notice of Preparation for the project, which is the...
California Supreme Court Justice Ming Chin to Retire
SAN FRANCISCO — A legal trailblazer and longest-serving sitting member of the California Supreme Court said Wednesday he'll retire this year, giving Gov. Gavin Newsom an opportunity to shape the state's highest court. Justice Ming W. Chin will retire Aug. 31 after nearly 25 years on the state Supreme Court....
California Voters May Consider Mandate to End Homelessness
SACRAMENTO — An advisory council appointed by Gov. Gavin Newsom called Monday for California voters to consider a legally enforceable mandate to end homelessness, as the state grapples with one of its most pressing and politically fraught problems. Newsom notably did not adopt the council's recommendation when he outlined his...
California May Switch to Shorter Probation Terms
SACRAMENTO — Gov. Gavin Newsom is proposing to overhaul California's probation system by greatly reducing the time a convict is under supervised release, but increasing rehabilitation programs at the outset of the probationary period, when they are considered the most effective. He wants to put what he called “an unprecedented...
Parole Denied in Murder of Developmentally Disabled Clovis Man
Gov. Gavin Newsom has blocked parole for the killer of a developmentally disabled Clovis man who was buried alive in 1980. Newsom on Thursday reversed an August decision by a state panel to grant parole to David Weidert. Listen to this article: Weidert, who is incarcerated at Soledad State...
Walters: More Entitlements as Economy Slows?
Gov. Gavin Newsom is tiptoeing into a political region that predecessor Jerry Brown purposely skirted — expanding expensive services and benefits that are difficult, and perhaps impossible, to shrink if California’s economy turns sour. They are called “entitlements” and Newsom’s own proclivities and pressure from a very liberal Legislature are...
Gov. Newsom Targets Fresno Needs With Big Bucks in Budget
Gov. Gavin Newsom's proposed $222 billion budget for 2020-21 includes tens of millions of dollars to improve efforts to boost economic development and medical education efforts in Fresno and the Valley — investments that local officials said Friday are highly welcome and will be put to good use. Listen to...
California Bill Would Strip Tax Break for Vacation Homes
SACRAMENTO — California would raise taxes on some homeowners and use the money to pay for homeless services under a bill proposed Thursday. Assemblyman David Chiu, a Democrat from San Francisco, wants to eliminate the mortgage interest deduction on vacation homes. His bill would also lower the amount of mortgage...