Elections & Politics Image

San Joaquin County Elections & Politics Digest



California Democrats Backed Into a Corner Over Teen Sex Solicitation

05/02/2025

California Republicans are increasingly pushing Democrats on child sex crimes bills. The supermajority is growing more divided about it.

The ‘Science of Reading’ Won’t Be Required in California Schools, at Least for Now

04/30/2025

The original proposal would have mandated phonics instruction in K-12 classrooms. The latest version makes that optional.

Unprecedented Vote Shows Dems Fractured Over Housing Policy

04/30/2025

Two consecutive committee chairs getting overruled by their committee members signifies a growing rift among California Democrats about how to address the housing crisis.

How the Measure K Sales Tax is Impacting San Joaquin County

04/29/2025

A look at the impact of the Measure K sales tax approved by voters in 1990 and again in 2006 has had on the San Joaquin County economy and transportation corridors.

Newsom Takes on Trump Over Tariffs He Says Are Hurting California

04/16/2025

Gov. Gavin Newsom and Attorney General Rob Bonta announced the lawsuit Wednesday, saying the tariffs hurt “states, consumers and businesses.”

California Lawmakers Quietly Sideline Bills in Secretive Suspense Process

04/13/2025

More than 100 California bills moved to the “suspense file” last week, the start of a process where consequential decisions are made out of public view.

Hundreds Join Hands Off Protest in Tracy

04/11/2025

Nearly 200 people participated in a Hands Off! protest on April 5 at the corner of 11th Street and Corral Hollow Road in Tracy.

Trump Canceled Millions in California School Grants. The State Is Suing to Reclaim the Money

04/10/2025

Schools had until March 2026 to spend remaining COVID relief money. The U.S. Department of Education cut those funds, amounting to about $200 million for California K-12 schools.

Uber, Lyft Drivers Could Unionize Under New Proposal

04/09/2025

California Democrats are backing a legislative proposal that would allow gig workers to form unions. Expect big pushback from companies like Uber, Lyft and Doordash.

He Spent Decades Researching Dementia. Trump’s DEI Purge Killed His Grant, and Dozens More

04/09/2025

This researcher’s project joins at least 30 others across the University of California system that have been terminated by the National Institutes of Health. Those multi-year awards were worth more than $173 million.

Hands Off Rally in Stockton

04/05/2025

A report on the Hands Off rally attended by hundreds in Stockton.

Rural California, Reliant on the Trump Administration for Jobs, Braces for Cuts

04/02/2025

Rural counties are some of the most reliant on federal funding and federal workers. But some still welcome Trump’s upcoming cuts to forestry and other departments

‘Broke Their Own Promise’: Republican Reparations Bill Is a Bad Sign for California’s Black Caucus

04/01/2025

At a time when the political climate calls for strong and steady leadership, many Black Californians are losing faith in the lawmakers they sent to Sacramento to deliver on a justice agenda anchored by reparations.

Some CA Lawmakers Want Voting Materials to Reflect Language Diversity

03/26/2025

Voter guides in various languages at a polling site at Modoc Hall in Sacramento State in Sacramento on March 5, 2024. Photo by Miguel Gutierrez Jr., CalMatters

California, Other States Sue to Halt Massive Layoffs at U.S. Department of Education

03/13/2025

Under Trump’s directive the Department of Education laid off half its staff. The lawsuit argues Trump has no authority to make such drastic changes.

Measure ‘A’ Bond Funded Projects Underway

03/10/2025

Voters passed Measure A to fund new classrooms and upgrade schools. Read on to learn about three projects currently underway.

CA Bill Addressing Armed Vigilantism Draws Swift GOP Backlash

03/06/2025

Los Angeles Assemblymember Rick Zbur says he wants to narrow the standards for justifiable homicide. Critics say he wants to make self-defense illegal.

California Is Spending Billions on Mental Health Housing. Will It Reach Those Most in Need?

03/05/2025

Gov. Gavin Newsom wants to see tangible results from the $6.4 billion mental health bond voters approved last year. Moving fast carries a risk of neglecting under-resourced communities.

‘A Step Backwards’: How Federal Threats to DEI Are Impacting California Schools

02/18/2025

California schools are grappling with the U.S. Department of Education's letter requiring them to scrap their DEI programs.

Who’s Paying for California Politicians’ Travel? After CalMatters’ Report, Audit Proposes a Legal Fix

02/14/2025

The audit by the state’s Fair Political Practices Commission followed CalMatters’ revelations that a law requiring trip organizers to annually disclose their major donors had been used only twice in seven years — even as interest groups continued paying millions for lawmakers’ travel.

Did Confusing Language Doom California’s Anti-Slavery Amendment? Lawmakers Want to Try Again

02/12/2025

Californians rejected the anti-slavery ballot measure Proposition 6, which would have forbid forced prison labor. Reparations advocates want to try again in 2026.

San Joaquin County Supervisors Advocate for Sweeping Election Changes

02/12/2025

What are San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors advocating for changes to state election laws to require voter identification for all elections and eliminate same-day voter registration? Read on to learn more.

A Former Firefighter in the Legislature Has Ideas. Will Democrats Listen?

02/11/2025

Sen. Kelly Seyarto is the only former career firefighter currently serving in the Legislature. But as a Republican in a Democratic supermajority, he says it can be challenging to make progress on wildfire policy.

Resistance State: Tracking California’s Lawsuits Against the New Trump Administration

01/21/2025

California’s Democratic leaders set aside tens of millions of dollars to challenge President Donald Trump’s executive orders and policies.

Will New Bond Funds Be Enough to Rebuild LA Schools — And All of California’s Other Crumbling Schools?

01/21/2025

Some schools destroyed years ago in the Sonoma and Butte fires are just now reopening. The long, expensive process of rebuilding in LA may eat up much of the money voters approved in November for school repairs statewide.

Trump’s New Executive Orders Target Policies Dear to CA

01/20/2025

With assurances that “sunlight is pouring over the entire world,” President Donald Trump was sworn into office Monday for his second term. He wasted no time taking potshots at California.

State Senator Representing San Joaquin County Appointed to Delta Protection Board

01/17/2025

California State Senator Jerry McNerney, representing San Joaquin County and parts of Alameda County, has been appointed to the state Delta Protection Commission. Read on to learn more about the commission.

Former Member Appointed to Lathrop City Council

01/14/2025

Former member Stephen Dresser was appointed to a vacant seat on the Lathrop City Council to serve a two-year provisional term. Read on to learn more.

Tracy City Council Fills Vacant Seat

01/10/2025

In their January 7 meeting, the Tracy City Council appointed Mateo Bedolla to fill the seat vacated by vacated by Dan Arriola. Read on to learn more about the process for filling vacant seats and the appointee is selected.

Lathrop Fills City Council Vacancy

01/09/2025

In a special meeting, the Lathrop City Council unanimously appointed Stephen Dresser to fill a vacant seat. Read on to learn more about the other potential appointees and the vacancy appointment process.

New Stockton City Council Meets

01/07/2025

The new Stockton City Council held its first meeting on January 7. Read on to learn more about the work ahead for the new term.

California Study Finds Climate of Fear Driving Local Officials to Quit Amid Harassment, Abuse

01/04/2025

THREATS AND HARASSMENT are pushing some politicians out of office, scaring off some would-be candidates and even compelling some elected officials to change their vote.

Featured

California cities switch to more inclusive, district-based elections system.
Voting Rights...the Final Frontier
Pushed by activists, cities move from at-large elections to district races.
There are more than 300 community service districts in California.
Community Services Districts, Explained
Areas that the county overlooks can form their own local governments.
California continues to work on legislation that would make voting easier.
Voting Rites
And more bills are on the way to help you make your mark on Election Day.
The cycle of crime and homelessness is escalating, but it doesn't have to be that way.
Homelessness and Crime in California: Even More Complex Than You Think
What causes the cycle of homelessness and crime, and how to stop it.
The California Supreme Court has defined the state’s legal and political agenda for more than 170 years.
How the California Supreme Court Blazes Legal Trails
From its beginnings in the Gold Rush, the state Supreme Court continues to define the state today.
Translated from the Greek, “Democracy” means “people power.” How much power do the people have in California?
People Power! What Is Democracy, and How Does It Work in California?
The Goddess of Democracy is alive and well in California, but that hasn’t always been true.