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.
• West Valley College Launches Free Seniors Program
West Valley College announced the launching of its Senior Guided Pathways program of free classes for seniors.
(08/25/2024) → The Mercury News
• Understaffing Persists at Los Gatos Police Department
Efforts to increase staffing to the budgeted positions continue to fall short.
(08/25/2024) → The Mercury News
• Santa Clara County District Attorney Still Supports 2014's Proposition 47
Despite support for Proposition 36 on the November ballot, meant to rollback elements of Proposition 47, Santa Clara County District Attorney Jeff Rosen voiced his support for the 2014 criminal justice reform measure.
(08/25/2024) → The Mercury News
• He's 7 Years Old and Homeless
A look at the life of a 7-year-old member of a family living in a homeless encampment in San Jose.
(08/24/2024) → The Mercury News
• Palo Alto City Council Considers Vacancy Tax
The Palo Alto City Council is showing increased interest in a commercial vacancy tax to stimulate landlords in downtown Palo Alto to find tenants for vacant properties.
(08/23/2024) → Daily Post
• Saratoga City Council Cancel Election
As no candidates have filed to run for two seats held by incumbents who are running for a new term, the Saratoga City Council voted on August 21 to cancel the election for the seats and reappoint the incumbents to a new term.
(08/23/2024) → The Mercury News
• Neighborhood Opposition Delays Plans to In Plans to Buy Homeless Tiny House Site
A plan by Santa Clara County to acquire a City of San Jose-owned homeless tiny house site to be used for a jail diversion plan was put on hold following strong opposition from nearby residents.
(08/23/2024) → The Mercury News
• Los Gatos Council Cancels Election
In their August 20 meeting, the Los Gatos Council, noting that the two councilmembers runing for reelection are unopposed, voted to cancel the election and appoint the two members to their seats for their next term.
(08/21/2024) → The Mercury News
• Rabid Bat Reported in Palo Alto
The Santa Clara County Public Health reported a dead rabid bat was found near downtown Palo Alto on August 13.
(08/21/2024) → Palo Alto Online
• Housing Development Proposed for Downtown San Jose
A parking lot on South Second Street in downtown San Jose is the site of a proposed housing development of several hundred units.
(08/20/2024) → The Mercury News
• Palo Alto Housing Element Finally Approved
After numerous submissions were denied, the California Department of Housing and Community Development has approved the City of Palo Alto plan to build more than 6,000 new units of housing.
(08/20/2024) → Palo Alto Online
• Sunnyvale to Fund Affordable Housing
The City of Sunnyvale announced it is allocating almost $30 million towards the building of hundreds of affordable housing units.
(08/20/2024) → The Mercury News
• Upgrades Coming to Saratoga’s Community Access TV Station
Improved video quality and expanded programming are coming soon to Saratoga’s community access TV station channels KSAR15 and. KEDU26.
(08/20/2024) → The Mercury News
• 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.
