Here at California Local we’re still inspecting the fall harvest. We mean the harvest in Sacramento—the bumper crop of legislation that rolls off the governor’s desk every September. There’s still so much to pick through in this bounty of bills designed to address some of the state’s most pressing problems—enough to keep us busy at least until it’s time to unpack the aftermath of the November general election. (To get up to speed on who’s running on Nov. 8, check out the links below to news from our media allies.)
| View in Browser |
By Sharan Street
Published Oct 03, 2022
Some four-legged California residents were also covered by legislation passed in 2022.
Image credit: smrm1977
Shutterstock
10-3-22: On the Books
Pet Project
One legislator who found a creative way to help his constituents is state Senator Josh Newman of Fullerton, who wrote a bill with various pro-pet provisions. Among these: Preventing landlords of subsidized low-income units from charging “pet rent” and non-refundable pet fees. And that’s just one of the bills that Jonathan Vankin details in his roundup of animal-related legislation.
California’s New Slate of Animal Welfare Laws
New laws banning toxicity testing on dogs and cats, and making rental housing more pet friendly are among a slate of new animal welfare legislation signed by Gov. Newsom in September.
|
Santa Cruz County's Homepage |
| Direct your browser to https://santacruz.californialocal.com/ to catch up on the latest news in California and Santa Cruz County. Bookmark the link and visit often, there's a lot happening in your community! | |
Win-Win on Two Fronts
Vankin’s coverage of the legislative bounty includes a detailed look at AB 2097. Authored by Assemblymember Laura Friedman of Glendale, the bill removes minimum parking requirements for housing developments built within a half-mile of a major public transit stop. Vankin explains how AB 2097 addresses both the climate crisis and California’s housing shortage.
New Housing and Climate Law Cuts Back on Parking Spaces
There's too much parking! Why a new law, AB 2097, cutting back on parking space requirements in new housing and business developments could be a game changer for the climate, and the housing crisis.
Data Driven
In addition to reporting on the latest from state and local government, California Local is always looking to publish useful compendia—aka our Localists. This week’s compilation lists nonprofit groups, government agencies and volunteer groups that serve the needs of Santa Cruz County’s seniors. More than 30 percent of the county’s residents are over 55—and 18.4 are already old enough for Medicare (and hey, cheaper health insurance is definitely something to celebrate).
California’s senior population is growing—and these local organizations are here to help.
Get to Know a Group
|
Santa Cruz Baroque Festival |
The Santa Cruz Baroque Festival has been active since 1974, presenting early music as it sounded in its own era. Members strive for artistic excellence while transmitting the joy of Baroque music to future generations.
|
Recent Local News |
→ View All |
The Santa Cruz Community Farmers’ Market board will vote soon on whether to move forward on an agreement with the city to relocate the downtown market. The timing—just a month before Santa Cruz voters decide on Measure O—is raising concerns.
(10/03/2022) → Read the full Lookout Local report
A press release issued by the city of Santa Cruz on Oct. 2 noted that an agreement has been reached with Service Employees International Union Local 521, averting a planned strike.
(10/01/2022) → Read the full Santa Cruz County Sentinel report
New UC Santa Cruz student body president Alfredo Gama Salmeron hopes to bring students together to create art, improve emotional and academic support for students and reorganize the university’s budget to prioritize students.
(09/28/2022) → Read the full Lookout Local report
With Measure O on the city ballot in November, the fate of downtown’s library branch and farmers market will be determined by voters. Public debate has intensified after two reports were released: one by the measure’s proponents and the other by the city of Santa Cruz.
(09/28/2022) → Read the full Santa Cruz County Sentinel report
Through Nov. 4, the public can review and comment on a Draft Environmental Impact Report for two more segments of the Coastal Rail Trail. Segments 8 and 9 stretch from Beach Street/Pacific Avenue in the city of Santa Cruz to the eastern side of 17th Avenue in Live Oak.
(09/27/2022) → Read the full Santa Cruz County Sentinel report
As the eviction deadline for “Zone 3” of the San Lorenzo Park Benchlands encampment loomed, 10 individuals accepted city assistance to move to the National Guard Armory, said City Homeless Response Manager Larry Imwalle. The Zone 4 closure is expected to affect about 24 people, who will have until Oct. 5 to move.
(09/26/2022) → Read the full Santa Cruz County Sentinel report
Peter Hernandez and Zoe Lofgren are in the runoff for the redrawn 18th Congressional District, which includes all of San Benito County, as well as the eastern half of Monterey and Santa Clara counties and the southeastern part of Santa Cruz County.
(09/26/2022) → Read the full Benito Link report