Santa Cruz County politics and policy news and notes from Christopher Neely.
In the Public Interest
A Monday newsletter covering Santa Cruz County politics & policy from Lookout – subscribe here.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
In the Public Interest: Surfers, lawmakers push back against proposal to expand marine protections in Santa Cruz County
IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST Surfers, lawmakers push back against proposal to expand marine protections in Santa Cruz County Shawn Dollar, a born-and-bred Pleasure Point resident, is known around the globe as a big-wave surfer whose ability to navigate the intimidating swells of Mavericks and Cortes Bank has earned him trophies and world records. Locally, Dollar […]
Posted inPolitics & Policy
In the Public Interest: Santa Cruz County’s primary turnout ‘very concerning’
IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST Santa Cruz County’s primary turnout ‘very concerning’ From the driver’s seat of her car earlier this primary election cycle, Assemblymember Gail Pellerin flipped on the radio and heard what, to a former election clerk, sounded like fingernails on a chalkboard. For Pellerin, it was a noise that had, of late, become […]
Posted inPolitics & Policy
In the Public Interest: The ‘death knell’ of progressive electoral politics in Santa Cruz?
Christopher Neely digs into Santa Cruz politics and policy.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
In the Public Interest: Are the needs of Watsonville Community Hospital obvious enough to overcome ‘two-thirds and apathy’?
From Measure N to a survey of Lookout’s election coverage, Christopher Neely gets you ready for tomorrow’s primary vote.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
In the Public Interest: Election 2024: The names behind the money
IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST Election 2024: The names behind the money Across four ballot measures and seven open county and city seats, Santa Cruz County campaigns in this primary election season have raised roughly $640,000 through nearly 1,500 total donations. How money flows into campaign coffers tells many stories. It can show us whom candidates […]
Posted inPolitics & Policy
In the Public Interest: “Profound moment” as Santa Cruz County suffers climate change’s other impact: debt
IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST “Profound moment” as Santa Cruz County suffers climate change’s other impact: debt From Carlos Palacios’ perch as the chief executive of county government, Santa Cruz County has entered a “profound moment” in its history. County Supervisor Bruce McPherson said he’s “never seen anything so dire” in his nearly 12 years as […]
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In the Public Interest: Five takeaways from three nights of candidate forums
Go inside races for county supervisor and city council with analysis from Christopher Neely.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
In the Public Interest: Lookout forums continue, Measure M for Maybe, what mountain voters want
In his weekly newsletter covering Santa Cruz County politics and policy, Christopher Neely previews a pair of Lookout election forums this week, digs into what Measure M might and might not mean, talks to voters in the Santa Cruz Mountains about what they’re looking for in their new District 5 county supervisor and more.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
In the Public Interest: Trust in Gail Pellerin remains high following investigation into her investments
IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST Trust in Gail Pellerin remains high following investigation into her investments On her way to winning her first term as a state legislator in 2022, Assemblymember Gail Pellerin boasted a smorgasbord of endorsements across Santa Cruz County’s civic class and statewide environmental organizations. The former Santa Cruz County clerk built a […]