Even under optimal circumstances, California is extraordinarily difficult to govern — more like a fractious nation than a culturally homogenous state. Our size and our staggering economic, cultural, ethnic, even geographic and meteorological diversity not only create complex issues but make the reconciliation of often bitterly disparate factions difficult, bordering...
Walters: ‘California for All’ vs. Daunting Reality
Gov. Gavin Newsom’s website is topped by his official slogan, “California for All.” “The California Dream — the idea that every person can achieve a better life, regardless of where they start out — is central to who we are as Californians,” it declares. “Even in a time of economic growth...
Borgeas Explains Why He Voted 'No' on SB 50 Housing Bill
SACRAMENTO — Desperate for more housing in the nation's most populous state, the leader of the California Senate committed Thursday to passing a law this year to add more housing in a state facing a shortage of 3.5 million homes. Senate President Pro Tem Toni Atkins' comments came moments after...
High-Profile Housing Bill SB 50 Fails to Pass State Senate
SACRAMENTO — California lawmakers have failed to pass the most ambitious proposal yet to combat a growing housing crisis in the nation's most populous state, voting down legislation twice in two days that would have overridden local zoning laws to let developers to build small apartment buildings in neighborhoods reserved...
Arizona, California Cases Push US Tally of New Virus to 5
LOS ANGELES — The U.S. has five confirmed cases of the new virus from China, all among people who traveled to the city at the center of the outbreak, health officials said Sunday. Two new cases were reported Sunday — one in Los Angeles County in California and the other...
California Asks for Surplus Federal Land to House Homeless
SACRAMENTO — California is asking the Trump administration to provide surplus federal land that could be used to build housing for the homeless, mirroring a new state program. Gov. Gavin Newsom sent the request in a letter Tuesday to U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson amid an ongoing...
Biden Seeks to Upstage Buttigieg in Fight for California
LOS ANGELES — Joe Biden and Pete Buttigieg chased California votes on Friday in dueling events, looking to sway Democrats in the state that delivers the largest haul of delegates in the presidential contest. Appearing at a short-term housing complex for the homeless, Buttigieg promised a new era of help...
Newsom's Budget Plan Aids Teachers, Expands Healthcare for Those in US Illegally
SACRAMENTO — Gov. Gavin Newsom wants to give $20,000 stipends to teachers at high needs schools in California and extend health care to older low-income immigrants who are in the country illegally. He outlined the plans during an announcement Friday of his $222 billion state budget proposal. The Democratic governor...
Video: Dyer vs. Janz in GV Wire Mayoral Forum
Fresno mayoral candidates Jerry Dyer and Andrew Janz face off in a one-hour forum moderated by GV Wire news director Bill McEwen. Click on the video above to see where they stand on addressing homelessness, recreational marijuana sales, housing, business growth and leadership in this exclusive GV Wire video forum....
Video: Alonzo vs. Maxwell in GV Wire City Council Forum
Fresno city council candidates Nathan Alonzo and Tyler Maxwell meet face to face in a one-hour forum moderated by GV Wire reporter David Taub. Alonzo and Maxwell are vying to represent central Fresno (District 4). Current councilmember Paul Caprioligio will be termed out of office in December. Click on the...