Sacramento County Elections & Politics Digest

Faced with a huge budget deficit, legislators are on warning not to expect bills with a high price tag to pass. But that’s not always the goal of introducing bills.

A bill would let state legislators, who say they fear for their safety, shield their property holdings from disclosure forms. But critics say that could conceal potential conflicts of interest.

Rates of routine childhood vaccination hit a 10-year low in 2023. That, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, puts about 250,000 kindergartners at risk for measles.

Longtime Galt teacher Rosella Rowlison has thrown her hat in the ring for the 9th Assembly District race, but she will not be appearing on the March 5 ballot.

Lauren Hammond, the first Black woman elected to the Sacramento City Council, died in her sleep Jan. 18 at the age of 68. Representing District 5, Hammond served from 1997 to 2010.

City leaders in Rancho Cordova have voted to change a street name they didn’t even want a city clerk to say aloud during last week’s City Council meeting.

The four leading U.S. Senate contenders in California tried to use 90 minutes of free air time to solidify their pitches to voters—and also to set themselves apart from their opponents.

More than two years until the first votes are cast, Senate leader Toni Atkins becomes the fourth big-name Democrat to jump into the governor’s race. She is seeking to become the first female and openly gay chief executive.

Prop. 1 would funnel more money into housing and treatment for homeless Californians struggling with mental illness and addiction. But it’s far from a one-stop solution.

The five major contenders have different track records and proposals on some of California’s biggest issues. They’re trying to position themselves to appeal to sizable voting blocs.

Proposed California legislation that would ban tackle football for kids under 12 had gained momentum until Gov. Gavin Newsom made it clear he’d veto the bill.

In mainstream accounts of the Civil Rights Movement, names like King, Parks, and Du Bois are synonymous with resistance. But if other names like Hamer, Diamond, and Colvin sound less familiar to you, you’re not alone.

On the campaign trail, former President Donald Trump is again promising to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act—a nebulous goal that became one of his administration's splashiest policy failures.

Gov. Gavin Newsom has called for a March 19 primary to elect a replacement for Rep. Kevin McCarthy, who resigned from Congress in December. If a candidate doesn’t win outright, a runoff will be held on May 21.

Sean Loloee, a first-term Sacramento councilmember, has resigned from office—a move that came weeks after he was federally indicted on charges related to his business Viva Supermarkets.

Nueva Epoca is one of several Sacramento programs that prepare people from underrepresented communities to serve in public office.

Leaders of a parental rights advocacy group announced they’re planning to sue California Attorney General Rob Bonta over the way his office has characterized a 2024 ballot initiative they authored.

County leaders in San Diego are gearing up for a March bond measure that could help provide more behavioral health beds. More beds are needed for areas like mental health and detox.

Since its inception in 2003, the National Black Justice Coalition has been America’s premier civil rights organization dedicated to the empowerment of Black lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer+, and same-gender-loving people.

From elders and entertainers to victims of mass shootings and other violence, the Black community saw an exceptional amount of loss this year.

California’s secretary of state has released its list of certified candidates to be on the March 5 primary ballot for Congress. The top two vote-getters, regardless of party, advance to the Nov. 5 general election. Incumbents are largely expected to prevail.

Sheriff Jim Cooper, a Democrat and former Elk Grove Assemblyman once called law enforcement’s biggest advocate in the state capital, infuses his politically honed instincts with experience forged by a 30-year career wearing a badge.

A common refrain among anti-transgender activists is that many people experience regret after obtaining gender-affirming surgery. However, that argument is not supported by the science, according to a new article in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

Kern County agrees to better protect free speech in a deal with the state Justice Department—inspired by the county’s’ 2020 squashing of COVID contracts to organizations that advocated defunding police.

Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg publicly called for City Councilmember Sean Loloee to resign immediately, intensifying a request he made privately for weeks.

The California Legislative Black Caucus was established in 1967 when African American members of the California Legislature, under the leadership of former State Sen. Mervyn Dymally, came together to address issues faced by Black Californians.

In less than 11 months, Elk Grove voters will select their mayor and council representatives for Districts 1 and 3. Councilmembers Darren Suen and Kevin Spease have purchased ads in the 2024 Elk Grove Town Planner calendar, although as yet they have no challengers. Mayor Bobbie Singh-Allen, also on the ballot, did not purchase calendar space.

California fast-food workers will earn a $20 minimum wage in April. Other employers might have to raise their pay floor to recruit and retain staff.

The Sacramento City Council plans to redo a vote on whether to give City Manager Howard Chan and other executives pay increases because the council violated the Brown Act on the initial decision.

Founded in 1968, Black Women Organized for Political Action is a statewide nonprofit advocacy and membership organization committed to solving problems affecting Black Californians.

Four days after Councilmember Sean Loloee pleaded not guilty to federal charges, it remains unclear whether he will heed calls to resign.

All but two California counties are delaying their implementation of a new law that makes it easier for a court to place someone in involuntary confinement if they can’t care for their own medical needs or personal safety.