San Joaquin County Government Digest

In their July 2 meeting, the Tracy City Council approved funding of legal representation for three council members named in a lawsuit disputing the legality of a retroactive pay raise for City Attorney Bijal Patel.

July 1 was celebrated as the first official day of business in California's newest city.

On May 21, the California State Senate advanced reparations legislation, which will now be taken up by the state Assembly.

Sacramento City Manager Howard Chan on Tuesday released a budget proposal outlining a plan to close the $66 million deficit staff warned of a couple months ago by increasing fees and cutting services. 

There’s so little data available, it’s impossible to even tell if several of California’s largest homelessness programs are working, according to a statewide audit released Tuesday.

Not filling open positions in state government, cutting a school facilities program and several climate initiatives, delaying funding for public transit — these are some of the first steps that California officials plan to take to deal with a looming multibillion-dollar budget deficit.

Tenants in many new privately owned, low-income units will be protected from double-digit increases. So will some in existing units, after a state committee on affordable housing imposed a rent cap.

According to emails obtained by CalMatters Capitol reporter Jeanne Kuang in response to a public records request, a range of employers have been trying to figure out if they must pay $20 ever since the law was signed late last September.

Evictions have exacerbated homelessness nationwide, increasing the rate of homeless infants and toddlers. Most of those children are not enrolled in early education programs.

Disputes between insurers and providers can lead to entire hospital systems suddenly leaving the plans.

The staff of Representative Josh Harder have intervened on behalf of constituents in 2,627 cases so far during the 118th Congressional session started in 2023.

California will miss its goals unless it can increase emission reductions threefold, according to a new study.

“Street releases” have resumed after the nonprofit that operated a migrant welcome center announced its “finite resources have been stretched to the limit.”

State officials determined that Rancho Palos Verdes can utilize an already-established state of emergency to expedite landslide stabilization efforts as the crisis escalates.

Ten conservation groups filed an intent to sue the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for its failure to list western wolves under the Endangered Species Act.

A study in the latest issue of Nature Communications helps explain why there is more unconscious, or implicit, racial bias in some cities than others.

Heritage District residents asked the Lodi City Council why street and infrastructure improvements have not been considered in their neighborhood.

The Galt City Council will consider appointing Chris Erias as interim city manager during its Feb. 20 meeting, the city announced.

San Joaquin County will get more than $7.5 million for projects that provide housing assistance or supportive services to people experiencing homelessness.

A first-in-the-nation council will set work rules in the state’s fast food industry, but can labor and business agree?

Among growing concern over copper wire thefts, L.A. City Councilmembers Kevin de León and Traci Park proposed a task force anchored by the LAPD.

The city of Tracy is seeking one person to fill an open seat on the Measure V Residents’ Oversight Committee.

The numbers and letters on your car can reveal more than you think.

Fast food lives in a consumer sweet spot: demand, convenience and relative affordability. And this pay hike—equal to minimum wage increases during the past five years—will create grand economic unknowns.

The swing from a $100 billion surplus to a deficit somewhere between $38 and $68 billion in just two years illustrates the volatility of California’s tax system.

Sending mail will get more expensive next week.

Tracy City Attorney Bijal Patel continues to draw criticism, most recently in the form of two threats of potential litigation against the city.

Residents questioned the city of Lodi’s reasoning for water and wastewater rate hikes during the City Council meeting, citing the amount of reserves held by the city.

A California judge says a nearly 65-year-old law does not give the state permission to borrow the billions of dollars it would need to build a large water project.

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.

A multi-year, $750 million California program aimed at doing away with homeless encampments has had mixed results. Local leaders say ongoing funding is needed.

As chairman. First District Supervisor Miguel Villapudua will lead all board meetings for the next year and make assignments for 56 committees on which board members serve in the county and community.