If you really look, you will find some good things are happening in California.
You probably haven't spent much of every workday for the past 27 years paying attention to local culture and politics in some part of California. I have. I'm not bragging, I'm just saying, that is what I do, and it is a pretty satisfying endeavor. It surprises many people when I share my opinion that for the most part, this state is in much better shape than it was when I started working here.
In our new book, How California Works: Building Democracy in the Golden State, we have collected 47 Explainers that author Jonathan Vankin wrote for California Local over the past three years (updated for the book) that entertainingly detail the nuts-and-bolts story of how our state functions. Together, they tell a tale that might surprise you in a good way.
Our Brand New Book Tells Some Good, True Stories
After many months of preparation, our new book, by the award-winning journalist and author Jonathan Vankin, is finally available. Get your copy today and discover how, just as California leads the world in technology via Silicon Valley, and in popular culture via Hollywood, etc., the Golden State leads the world in public policy. Way less sexy for sure, but possibly way more important.
Buy it on Amazon today!
How California Works: an Editors' Note
True stories about how, at its best, California has resisted and pushed back against anti-democratic forces. The histories and policies, deeply human characters, and controversies that have led us to where we are today.
If You're Not in Awe, You're Not Paying Attention
In his first blog post for this project, Chris Neklason, our CEO and product dude, described how building California Local's underlying technology and database turned him into a local-politics optimimist. “The genius of democracy is that it's a political system well suited for people to collectively make things better. Yeah, it's messy, it's imperfect, it's clunky. But it works.”
This week, having spent a couple months paying close attention to news from around the state, Chris returns to the subject.
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• California’s Brown Pelicans are Starving
Starving brown pelicans are being spotted across the state, and changes to the food chain might be the cause.
(05/28/2024) → The Mercury News
• Senior Low-Income Housing Opens in Santa Clara
A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held May 8 to celebrate the opening of the 80-unit affordable Kifer Senior Apartments.
(05/28/2024) → Silicon Valley Voice
• ADUs Account for 20% of California New Housing
Encouraged by state legislation passed since 2017, building of new ADU housing has increased dramatically.
(05/28/2024) → The Mercury News
• New Mural Unveiled in East San Jose
A mural painted by artist Edgar Ochoa and funded by the San Jose Sharks "Local Color" program was unveiled on May 24 at its location in East San Jose at Alum Rock Avenue and 34th Street.
(05/25/2024) → The Mercury News
• Los Gatos Balances Upcoming Budget
In its May 21 meeting, the Los Gatos Town Council reviewed the balanced budge of $56.9 for the 2025 fiscal year.
(05/24/2024) → The Mercury News
• VTA Looks to Federal Funds to Complete BART Extension
Federal funding of $6.297 would be required to complete the six-mile extension of BART into downtown San Jose.
(05/23/2024) → The Mercury News
• Los Gatos Sales Tax Increase on November Ballot
In its May 21 meeting, the Los Gatos Town Council approved putting a one-eight cent sales tax increase on the November ballot.
(05/22/2024) → The Mercury News
• Palo Alto Sticks to City Business
The Palo Alto City Council approved a policy precluding council members from stating positions on foreign policies in their official roles as elected representatives.
(05/22/2024) → Palo Alto Online
• Planets on Parade in June
An alignment known as a “planetary parade” will march across night skies starting June 3.
(05/28/2024) → Los Angeles Times
• As Key Deadlines Loom, Newsom and California Lawmakers Have Dozens of Deals to Make
It’s time for the folks in California’s Capitol to play let’s-make-a-deal – or actually, many deals.
(05/28/2024) → CalMatters
• UC Student Workers Expand Strike to Two More Campuses as They Demand Amnesty for Protestors
After University of California students were arrested or suspended for protests, student workers are striking at three campuses. The Office of President says the strike violates the union contract.
(05/28/2024) → CalMatters
• ‘We Have to Do Less With Less’: Cal State Faces Extra $500 Million Budget Gap
Two major forces are at play: Gov. Gavin Newsom scaled back his promise of increased financial support for Cal State, while university officials agreed to 5% salary increases earlier this year.
(05/27/2024) → CalMatters
• California Wants to Be Carbon-Neutral by 2045. What Does That Mean for Its Big Economic Drivers?
California’s governor, Gavin Newsom, flew more 6,000 miles to Rome this month to deliver a brief speech on climate change at a Vatican-sponsored conference.
(05/27/2024) → CalMatters
• Apology for Slavery, Funding Frameworks for Reparations Advance
California lawmakers voted to offer an official apology for the state’s role in supporting slavery and moved several reparations bills but let others die.
(05/24/2024) → CalMatters
• Decadeslong Delta Tunnel Water Project May Finally Be Nearing a Historic Decision
It’s been almost a half-century since I first heard the term “peripheral canal” uttered by William Gianelli, who was then-Gov. Ronald Reagan’s top water official. The project, in one form or another, had already been kicking around for decades.
(05/23/2024) → CalMatters
• California Climate Programs Would Lose Billions in Newsom’s Budget
As funds for climate change programs are cut, Democrats and environmentalists are pushing for a bond measure on the ballot to restore some funding.
(05/22/2024) → CalMatters
If you really look, you will find some good things are happening in California.
