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.
• Capitola Wharf Prepares for Reopening
The recently restored Capitola Wharf is preparing to reopen soon, and a community work day is scheduled for September 7 to install some crowdfunded final items.
(08/26/2024) → Lookout Local
• COVID Surging, Health Officials Recommend Updated Vaccine
As COVID cases surge, health officials are recommending people take advantage of a recently approved and updated vaccine when it becomes available.
(08/26/2024) → Lookout Local
• Anchovies Return to Santa Cruz Wharf & Harbor
The anchovies are back, and with them thousands of hungry seabirds.
(08/24/2024) → Santa Cruz Sentinel
• Santa Cruz Mayor's Update on City Homeless Response
Mayor Fred Keeley details the City of Santa Cruz strategic response to homelessness.
(08/24/2024) → Santa Cruz Sentinel
• Next Santa Cruz County Sheriff to be Appoined
Following the retirement of Sheriff Jim Hart, Santa Cruz County Supervisors will need to appoint a successor.
(08/23/2024) → Lookout Local
• Santa Cruz County General Election Guide
Now that the measure qualification and candidate filing deadlines have passed, a look at the local November 5 ballot.
(08/23/2024) → Lookout Local
• Scotts Valley Parks Master Plan Approved
In their August 21 meeting, the Scotts Valley City Council approved the first update to the Parks Master Plan since 1996.
(08/22/2024) → Santa Cruz Sentinel
• New Development Proposed for Soquel Avenue
Santa Cruz developer Workbench has submitted an application for a mixed use development for 1024 Soquel Avenue.
(08/21/2024) → Santa Cruz Sentinel
• Changes Ahead for Pajaro Valley Arts
Pajaro Valley Arts has a new executive director and is ready to embark on fundraising to renovate and upgrade the site of its new headquarters in downtown Watsonville.
(08/20/2024) → Lookout Local
• City of Santa Cruz Seeks Input With Online Survey
Residents of the City of Santa Cruz are being asked to participate in an online survey seeking input about its 2025-2030 Consolidated Plan and Neighborhood Revitalization Strategy Area.
(08/20/2024) → Santa Cruz Sentinel
• State Funding Santa Cruz County Wildfire Prevention Work
The state of California is funding wildfire prevention and mitigation work in Santa Cruz County, including the clearance of fuel along Soquel San Jose Road and a wood chipping program.
(08/20/2024) → Lookout Local
• Santa Cruz County Launching Youth Advisory Task Force
Applications are open for county youth and young adults ages 14 to 24 to serve on the new Youth Advisory Task Force.
(08/20/2024) → Lookout Local
• 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.
