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Why many illegal fireworks could be gone in California next July Fourth
The biggest U.S. seller of legal fireworks wants the state to sign a deal with Nevada to stop illegal fireworks from crossing the border. The state fire marshal warns of fireworks danger this July Fourth during the heat wave.
Gavin Newsom says never mind on California crime measure
Tuesday night, Gov. Gavin Newsom made a shocking U-turn: He withdrew the proposed ballot measure he and Democratic legislative leaders just announced as a smarter way to tackle retail theft and fentanyl trafficking. Their measure was supposed to win voters’ favor over a November ballot measure backed by Republican lawmakers, law enforcement groups and prosecutors […]
‘Nothing will be protected’ — how California environmentalists killed a plan to fast-track ‘green’ energy
Nearly every major environmental group in California opposed the bill, which would have modified the state’s signature environmental law to speed up upgrades to power lines. Supporters said it would have helped free the state from fossil fuels and make the grid more reliable, but opponents feared it would damage state parks.
‘Ghetto birds’: California has yet to reckon with longstanding bias from police helicopters
Police helicopters have long evaded oversight and accountability. Recent scrutiny of the LAPD's Air Support Division shows that law enforcement helicopters perpetuate bias against certain communities and squander taxpayer dollars.
Are California Democrats gaming the system on crime measure?
California Democrats control most of the levers of power — if they stick together. But Democratic leaders aren’t taking any chances with their ballot measure to tackle retail theft and fentanyl, which proposes less sweeping changes to Proposition 47 than a measure already on the November ballot backed by Republicans and many prosecutors. Democrats are […]
Does a proposed $10 billion bond favor richer California school districts?
Small and low-income school officials say the bond measure deal is unfair. The money is allocated through matching grants, so wealthier districts that can raise more local funds will get more money from the state.
California voters likely to decide $20 billion in bonds for climate and schools
There was no rest for the weary over the weekend, as lawmakers advanced two bonds that will likely appear on the November ballot. In five months, voters could decide whether the state can borrow $20 billion to fight climate change and repair schools. Climate change bond: Democratic leaders on Sunday said they reached an agreement […]
State inspectors are supposed to visit all farmworker housing to ensure its safety. Sometimes they used FaceTime instead
The number of agricultural guest workers has risen dramatically in California. But state regulators have struggled to ensure that farms are providing safe housing to their workers.
California voters will decide who wins on health care tax: Gavin Newsom or doctors
The health care industry put a measure on the November ballot that would raise more money for Medi-Cal and block lawmakers from spending it on general government services. Billions of dollars are on the line.
California voters will decide an anti-crime measure in November. Democrats say this one is better
Gov. Newsom and legislative leaders put forward a ballot measure to compete with one that would roll back Proposition 47 and increase penalties for theft and drug trafficking. The Democrats’ proposal calls for a new felony for drug dealers who cut fentanyl into other drugs and for increased penalties for repeat thieves.
Dispatch from ‘the stinkiest beach in the United States’
Good morning, Inequality Insights readers. I’m CalMatters reporter Wendy Fry. Tuesday was one of those perfect Southern California summer days. While the beaches near La Jolla and Del Mar were packed, the coastline in San Diego’s South County was nearly empty. That’s because more than 100 billion gallons of raw sewage had washed up from […]
Supreme Court gives cities in California and beyond more power to crack down on homeless camps
The ruling by the conservative court majority means cities no longer are prohibited from punishing homeless people for camping if they have nowhere else to go. It will have strong repercussions in California, where Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom and many city leaders welcomed the new power to sweep encampments. Homeless people and their advocates say the decision criminalizes poor people who have no other options, for simply existing.
Why California’s November ballot keeps changing
Coming out of the March primary, it appeared that California’s November ballot could be crowded with more than a dozen propositions, if not more. But as of Thursday night, the Nov. 5 ballot was down to nine measures, the Secretary of State’s office announced. Then again, that number could still increase by next week, with […]
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