Proposition 4 would lift a ban that prohibits state and most local candidates from using public funding for their political campaigns. Proponents argue the mechanism helps more candidates run for office, but opponents are skeptical.
Yue Stella Yu / CalMatters
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Prop 43 would make special taxes harder to pass. That’s the point, say anti-tax advocates
The statewide ballot measure would require two-thirds of voters to approve any local special taxes, instead of the simple majority for citizen-led initiatives. Anti-tax advocates say it should be that hard for governments to tax Californians, but local officials say it could constrain funding for essential services.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
How a gym, a farmers market and MMA fighters landed millions in Newsom’s last budget
The California Legislature’s secretive earmark process allows lawmakers and Gov. Gavin Newsom to dole out money for projects with little public scrutiny or notice, raising transparency and equity concerns even among some lawmakers.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Keep an eye on these five deals as California lawmakers close out the legislative session
Lawmakers could tackle climate money, wildfires and California Forever before they adjourn for the year and hit the campaign trail.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
California to share driver’s license data despite fears it could expose unauthorized immigrants
The new state budget that Gov. Gavin Newsom signed includes $55 million for the DMV to build a data-sharing system, a program meant to bring the state into compliance with the federal REAL ID law.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Newsom’s parting gift: A budget that delays California’s deep cuts to 2027
Gov. Gavin Newsom and state lawmakers reached a final budget deal last week that largely relies on AI revenue projections and new taxes to delay social service cuts and shrink future deficits.
Posted inHousing & Development
Tech billionaires hire Democratic dealmakers in renewed push to build a Bay Area city
Following years of local resistance, tech billionaires are turning to the state to fast-track their plan to build a new city in the Bay Area. They are lobbying for legislation to expedite environmental review of their project, enlisting political heavyweights to make their case.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Billionaire tax, affordable housing: See the measures on California’s November ballot
California voters will decide on 14 statewide policy proposals come November, including the high-stakes billionaire tax, an $11 billion affordable housing bond and voter ID requirements.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
This lawmaker’s proposal could make California ‘the most secretive state in the country’
Assemblymember Blanca Pacheco’s legislation would allow public agencies to delay records requests it deems “improperly” filed, sue for “malicious” requests and charge nearly $90 an hour to produce government records. One good governance advocate calls it a “virtual horror show of governmental nontransparency.”
Posted inPolitics & Policy
California Democrats threaten to block Newsom priorities over imperiled climate deal
Gov. Gavin Newsom endorsed new carbon market rules that could drastically shrink the state’s funding for climate projects, threatening the spending deal he struck with legislators last year. Senate Democrats aren’t having it.
