The Memorial Rose Garden at McKinley Park in Sacramento. Built and maintained by everyday citizens as a gift to their city.
You may have noticed last week that government, and governing, seems to be suddenly cool again. Elected officials starred in a mini-series that became the hit of the season—drawing applause and even genuine, heartfelt laughs. People talking politics used the word "joy" repeatedly—and also that buzzword from a few seasons back: "hope."
We say: It's about time. For too many years, there's been a negative campaign telling a dark and cynical story about politics and politicians, and this has not been the exclusive provenance of any one political party.
Some of the consequences of this campaign became evident this week, as a number of cities throughout the state had to cancel elections and re-appoint incumbents because nobody registered to run—it's a safe bet that some folks opted out to avoid the hyper-partisan attacks that come with public service.
Here at California's pro-democracy web portal, we seek out the true stories about (as our book title has it) How California Works. In this week's episode of The Newsletter, we bring you a couple more.
Tending to our Communities
Chris Neklason has written a number of blogposts that explain how the nuts 'n' bolts (more accurately the code and information-architecture) of California Local is designed to foster democratic participation. He's at it again this week, re-branding what I once called a "civic-engagement engine" with a friendlier name. Gott click the link to find out what that is.
And: Getitng into a different but equally important bucket of nuts 'n' bolts, he enlists the help of the "Internet dynamo" Anil Dash to explain how boards of directors of nonprofits and other organizations endeavor to make the world a little bit better.
• Sacramento County Supervisors Respond to Civil Grand Jury Report
Sacramento County Supervisors released their formal response to a grand jury report criticizing the process by which they increased their pay.
(08/23/2024) → The Sacramento Bee
• Arts Groups Meet With Solving Sacramento
An update of the first listening session with local arts groups hosted by Solving Sacramento.
(08/22/2024) → Solving Sacramento
• Local Youth Demonstrate for Climate in Downtown Sacramento
Dozens of young people held a demonstration on August 17 in downtown Sacramento to protest the banking industry's contribution to the escalating effects of climate change.
(08/22/2024) → CapPublicRadio
• One Person's Experience in a Sacramento Homeless Shelter
A resident of the Roseville Road homeless shelter in Sacramento talks about their experience there.
(08/22/2024) → The Sacramento Bee
• Profile of Camp Resolution
The Sacramento Bee explains the history and current status of the self-managed homeless Camp Resolution.
(08/22/2024) → The Sacramento Bee
• Supervisors Approve Free Student Transit Funding
In their August 20 meeting, Sacramento County Supervisors approved $1.75 million in funding
over 5 years for the Sacramento Regional Transit RydeFreeRT program.
(08/22/2024) → The Sacramento Bee
• Local Sites Rezoned to Encourage New Housing
The Sacramento County Board of Supervisors approved rezoning of several sites in Rio Linda, Elverta, and North Highlands with a goal of increasing housing density in new developments.
(08/21/2024) → Rio Linda Messenger
• City of Sacramento Diversity Audit Findings Presented to Council
In their August 20 meeting, the Sacramento City Council heard a presentation on a staffing diversity audit covering three years, noting several large disparities.
(08/21/2024) → The Sacramento Bee
• New School Starts First School Year in Natomas
August 20 marked the first day of of the first school year for new Northlake TK-8 in Natomas.
(08/21/2024) → The Sacramento Bee
• Sacramento Cannabis Market "Oversaturated"
A proposal to increase limits on total cannabis dispensaries in Sacramento was shelved following input from current dispensary owners who asserted the local market is oversaturated.
(08/21/2024) → CapPublicRadio
• CapRadio Audit Report Back Online
Sacramento State has put a corrected version of the CapRadio audit report online.
(08/20/2024) → The Sacramento Bee
• Third Heat Related Death Reported in County
Sacramento County reported a third death caused by the recent heat wave.
(08/20/2024) → The Sacramento Bee
• Sacramento Area Governments Seek Transportation Input
The Sacramento Area Council of Governments is seeking public input through an online survey about what areas in the region are most in need of transportation investment.
(08/20/2024) → The Sacramento Bee
• Lawmakers Say Newsom Staff ‘Inflated’ Cost of Failed Health Care Bills
A trio of California Democratic lawmakers say they’re frustrated by high cost estimates that helped kill their health care legislation. Did the Newsom administration inflate the numbers to quietly kill the bills?
(08/26/2024) → CalMatters
• Millions of Californians Have Medical Debt. It Wouldn’t Hurt Your Credit Under Proposed Rules
About 4 in 10 Californians are carrying medical debt. Lawmakers are advancing a bill that would prevent that debt from affecting credit scores.
(08/26/2024) → CalMatters
• They Delivered 5,600 Babies. They Blame California Rules for Putting Them Out of Business
Birth centers are popular options for families who want to deliver a baby outside of a hospital. Nineteen of them closed in California in the past decade, deepening the state’s maternity care crisis.
(08/25/2024) → CalMatters
• Newsom’s Hands-on Approach to Crime in California Cities Gains Critics in Oakland
Gov. Gavin Newsom has taken to using state resources to fight crime on a local level. Not everyone in the cities he’s taken an interest in is thrilled with the results.
(08/25/2024) → CalMatters
• When Should Police Be Involved at School? A California Bill Would Let Teachers Make the Call
In the final week of session, legislators are debating whether to give more leeway to public school teachers when to report students to law enforcement. Supporters say disabled and students of color are unfairly disciplined, but opponents say school safety is at risk.
(08/25/2024) → CalMatters
• Proposition 6 Explainer
The Sacramento Bee explains Proposition 6, the initiative to ban involuntary servitude.
(08/21/2024) → The Sacramento Bee
• Taxpayers Cover Tuition at California’s for-Profit Schools. The Results? Low-Wage, High-Turnover Jobs
California officials have warned students for years that for-profit schools may make misleading career claims — leaving them with “a mountain of debt” but no job. Still, many for-profit schools remain on the state’s list of recommended job training programs.
(08/20/2024) → CalMatters
The Memorial Rose Garden at McKinley Park in Sacramento. Built and maintained by everyday citizens as a gift to their city.
