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.
• Uptick in SUSD Trustee Absenteeism
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
• Manteca Police Military Equipment Public Event Set for September 3.
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
• How Manteca Hopes to Fund Facility Needs
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
• Tracy City Council Prepares Response to Grand Jury Report
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
• How San Joaquin County Distributes Homeless Funds
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
• Micke Grove Park Renovation Work to Begin Soon
Construction of several projects to renovate facilities at Micke Grove Regional Park are set to begin soon.
(08/23/2024) → LodiNews
• 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
• Lodi Ranks In Top 25 Safest Suburbs in California
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
• 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
• Ripon City Council Appoints Unopposed Incumbents
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
• Stockton City Manager Contract Renewed
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
• CapRadio Audit Report Back Online
Sacramento State has put a corrected version of the CapRadio audit report online.
(08/20/2024) → The Sacramento Bee
• ADU Builds in Manteca Increasing
73 accessory dwelling units have been built in the City of Manteca over the last 4 1/2 years.
(08/20/2024) → Manteca Bulletin
• Sales Tax Measure to Fund New Manteca Police Department Headquarters
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
• 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.
