The Sacramento San Joaquin Delta, which covers 1,153 square miles, is one of the largest estuaries in western North America. It supplies California with half of its fresh water, and is facing ecological collapse.
Greetings from Sacramento, here in the heart of Northern California, which today is bathed in a golden autumn glow.
Most weeks, it’s our job to bring you pieces of reliable news—small facts that add up to something we might call The Big Truth. This week, another chapter in the neverending story of Building Democracy in the Golden State.
So ... this thing I am today branding The Big Truth, in a nutshell: As we face this moment in which many of us feel that democracy faces grave peril, let’s today embrace the radical notion that we are currently still in possession of something worth saving. By paying close attention to news in the ten counties we currently serve, we’ve determined that there are people and institutions engaged in civic life, throughout California, working hard to make this place better.
The Big Truth is that our democracy still lives—especially here in California. Evidence can be found in the workings of many (certainly not all) city councils, county boards of supervisors, planning commissions, etc. And the hard work of democratic governance can be found happening right out in the open, at public meetings that anyone can attend. In our News Digest below, you will very likely be able to see what your elected representatives are up to in your county, warts and all.
This week, we are also featuring an ambitious multimedia investigative piece, from our friends at Bay City News and Local News Matters, which looks at several public agencies and individuals dealing with maybe the gnarliest of political problems in California—water. Specifically, one of California’s most precious and threatened natural treasures—the Sacramento San Joaquin Delta.
• This California Proposition Is Drawing the Most Campaign Spending
Proposition 33 on local rent control and the related Proposition 34 are attracting the most campaign cash by far of the 10 ballot measures. But the amount pales to what was spent on dueling sports betting measures in 2022.
(10/28/2024) → CalMatters
• California’s Plan to Overhaul a Key Climate Program — Raising the Cost of Gas — Ignites Debate
The state air board will vote on changes to its landmark clean fuel program that would cut more greenhouse gases but could raise the cost of gas and diesel.
(10/24/2024) → CalMatters
• Is a New Plan for Delivering Delta Water Worse Than Trump’s Rules? Environmentalists Say Yes.
Growers support a federal and state proposal for operating California’s massive systems that send river water south. But it could harm more salmon and other endangered fish.
(10/24/2024) → CalMatters
• Most California Republicans in Congress Won’t Commit to Certifying the 2024 Presidential Election
Only one-third of the California GOP congressional delegation has pledged to accept the 2024 presidential election results. And only two incumbents in office in 2021 voted to certify President Joe Biden’s win over Donald Trump in the 2020 race.
(10/23/2024) → CalMatters
• Tool: Explore Candidates and Elected Officials Investigated for Campaign Law Violations
Use our tool to search through investigations opened by the state’s campaign law watchdog. The data updates weekly.
(10/23/2024) → CalMatters
• California Reservoirs Are Full, but Water Politics May Trump Hydrology
Most of us operate on the calendar year — the 12 months that begin on January 1 and end on December 31.
(10/23/2024) → CalMatters
• Will CA Ballot Proposition Mean More Deportations?
With proponents of Proposition 36 raising nearly $15 million so far — about three times as much as its opponents — and 71% of likely voters in support, it appears the statewide ballot measure will pass in November.
And that’s exactly what immigrant rights advocates are worried about.
(10/22/2024) → CalMatters
• Lack of Candidates Means Many Californians Won’t Vote for School Board
More than half of the school board races in 49 counties analyzed won't appear on the November ballot because either no one is running for the seat or a single candidate is unopposed.
(10/21/2024) → EdSource
• First California Project to Bury Climate-Warming Gases Wins Key Approval
Capturing and storing carbon underground is a big part of California’s efforts to tackle climate change but community members and environmentalists say it prolongs the life of fossil fuels.
(10/21/2024) → CalMatters
The Sacramento San Joaquin Delta, which covers 1,153 square miles, is one of the largest estuaries in western North America. It supplies California with half of its fresh water, and is facing ecological collapse.
