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, seem 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. Gotta 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.
With the addition of two new firefighter paramedics, Ripon Fis=re State #1 is fully staffed.
(08/27/2024) Manteca Bulletin
A look at the 2023 San Joaquin County agriculture report: $3.22 billion in production by 3,340 mostly small family-owned farms.
(08/27/2024) Manteca Bulletin
New Stanislaus State President Britt Rios-Ellis shared her views on the bright future of the Stockton satellite campus.
(08/27/2024) Stocktonia
Stocktonia notes an increase in trustees showing up late, leaving early, or not attending meetings of the Stockton Unified Board of Education.
(08/24/2024) Stocktonia
Per state law, the Manteca Police Department is holding a public event to display its military equipment on September 3 from 6:00PM to 7:00PM.
(08/23/2024) Manteca Bulletin
A look at how the City of Manteca plans to use facility usage fees and the hoped-for passing of the November sales tax measure to fund needed news and upgraded facilities.
(08/23/2024) Manteca Bulletin
A summary of the Tracy City Council discussion and voting on their response to each of the findings in the recent San Joaquin Civil Grand Jury report.
(08/23/2024) Tracy Press
A summary of how $29.3 million over two rounds of funding to address homelessness in San Joaquin County have been directed.
(08/23/2024) Stocktonia
Construction of several projects to renovate facilities at Micke Grove Regional Park are set to begin soon.
(08/23/2024) LodiNews
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
A study of crime and other safety factors in hundreds of US suburbs found Lodi to be among the safest in the state.
(08/21/2024) LodiNews
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
As no challengers filed to run against three incumbent members up for reelection, the Ripon City Council cancelled the election for their seats and voted to reappoint them.
(08/21/2024) Manteca Bulletin
In their August 20 meeting, the Stockton City Council voted to renew Stockton City Manager Harry Black's contract for a four-year term.
(08/21/2024) Stocktonia
Sacramento State has put a corrected version of the CapRadio audit report online.
(08/20/2024) The Sacramento Bee
73 accessory dwelling units have been built in the City of Manteca over the last 4 1/2 years.
(08/20/2024) Manteca Bulletin
The Manteca City Council approved a 3/4 cent sales tax measure for the November ballot to fund a new headquarters building for the police department.
(08/20/2024) Manteca Bulletin
There's an increase of Sacramento area teens becoming addicted to nicotine.
(08/19/2024) CapPublicRadio
Pharmacy benefit managers attempt to negotiate cost savings for insurers. California is considering new rules that would require them to pass their discounts on to consumers.
(08/27/2024) CalMatters
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
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
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
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
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
The Sacramento Bee explains Proposition 6, the initiative to ban involuntary servitude.
(08/21/2024) The Sacramento Bee
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
Schools that banned phones a few years ago have advice for other districts as the governor calls for a crackdown.
(08/19/2024) CalMatters
