Santa Cruz County Local Elections & Politics News Articles and Digest

Business, Economy & Jobs Elections & Politics City of Santa Cruz

Sales Tax Hike Returns to Santa Cruz Ballot

11/29/2023
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Less than two years after Santa Cruz city residents voted down a proposed sales tax hike, the city council on Tuesday agreed to place a similar measure on the March 2024 ballot.

From CalMatters...

COVID-19 Elections & Politics History Government

California vs. Florida: Need-to-Know Facts About the Rival States Ahead of Newsom-DeSantis Showdown

11/28/2023
Political wonks in California, Florida and maybe a few states in between, will be glued to their screens Thursday night to watch Gov. Gavin Newsom and Gov. Ron Desantis square off in a highly-anticipated Blue vs. Red State debate that’s been brewing since the summer.

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Education Elections & Politics Community Service & Support Government

California's Crumbling Schools: Legislature Crafting Huge Construction Bond

11/27/2023
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Image for display with article titled California's Crumbling School Buildings: Legislature Struggles to Craft Massive Construction Bond — But Will it be Enough?

Rural school districts complain that funds go to wealthier areas more likely to vote for bond measures.

From Sacramento Bee...

Elections & Politics

Congressman’s Central Valley Office Gets Vandalized

11/27/2023
Rep. David Valadao, a Republican, had his district office in Hanford vandalized. Fliers were plastered on the doors of his office with pictures of children and the words “Murdered by Israel.”

From Santa Cruz Sentinel...

Health Elections & Politics

Pajaro Valley Health Care District to Consider Bond Measure for Watsonville Hospital

11/27/2023
Tesidents of the Pajaro Valley may face one more decision on their March primary ballots: whether or not to approve about $105 million for projects at Watsonville Community Hospital.

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Elections & Politics Government

Newsom vs. DeSantis Fox News Debate Set for Nov. 30

11/24/2023
Image for display with article titled Newsom vs. DeSantis—It’s On! ‘Red vs. Blue’ Fox News Debate Set for Nov. 30

Fox News’ longest-standing host, Sean Hannity, is set to moderate the showdown.

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Elections & Politics Housing Government

Rivas Shakes Up Legislative Leadership: Winners and Losers

11/24/2023
Image for display with article titled Rivas Reboot in Sacramento: Speaker Shakes up Legislative Leadership—Who’s In and Who’s Out?

Affordable housing advocates got a boost in the speaker’s new legislative lineup.

From Santa Cruz Sentinel...

Business, Economy & Jobs Elections & Politics City of Capitola

Capitola to Poll Residents on Potential Revenue Measures

11/24/2023
With the help of polling professionals, Capitola leaders are ready to see how much of an appetite local residents have for a pair of potential revenue measures that could appear on next year’s ballot.

From Good Times...

Elections & Politics County of Santa Cruz

Second District Candidates

11/22/2023
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Six people intend to run for the Second District seat on the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors. Previous stories covered Kim De Serpa, Kristen Brown, Doug Dietch and Tony Crane. Now Good Times looks at David Schwartz and Bruce Jaffe.

From The Mercury News...

Elections & Politics

Eshoo to Not Seek Reelection

11/21/2023
Rep. Anna Eshoo, who has served in Congress more than 30 years and represents Silicon Valley, announced that she will not seek reelection and is retiring. Eshoo, a Democrat who turns 81 on Dec. 13, said in a video that her heart is filled with gratitude.

From Santa Cruz Sentinel...

Water Elections & Politics

SLV Water Leadership Allege Adverse Behavior From Board Member

11/20/2023
The San Lorenzo Valley Water District has been reckoning with the departures of two longtime senior staffers. Director of Finance Kendra Reed and District Manager/General Manager Rick Rogers both moved on from their roles due, in part, to interactions with Bob Fultz, a board member since 2018.

From Sacramento Bee...

Elections & Politics

Schwarzenegger Rules Out U.S. Senate Bid, Talks California

11/20/2023
Former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger met Nov. 17 with Sacramento press corps members. He ruled out a U.S. Senate bid, saying the only thing he was interested in running for was president, while acknowledging he can’t do this because he was born in Austria.

From Pleasanton Weekly...

Education Elections & Politics

School Board Members Who Banned Pride Flag Face Recall Campaign

11/19/2023
Two members of the Sunol Glen Unified School District board have been served with recall notices. This came after the board approved a resolution that banned schools in the Alameda County district from flying the LGBTQ+ pride flag.

From Santa Cruz Local...

Elections & Politics County of Santa Cruz

Live Oak, Soquel Voters Rank Housing as Top Concern

11/17/2023
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To understand residents’ priorities for the March 5 election for District 1 supervisor, Santa Cruz Local interviewed residents in the district and compiled results from an online survey.

From SFGate...

Elections & Politics

Joe Biden Touts Gavin Newsom as a Future President

11/16/2023
During a trip to San Francisco, President Biden said that California’s governor “could have the job I’m looking for.” The remarks have fueled speculation about whether Newsom might step in to run instead of Biden in 2024.

From Los Angeles Times...

Elections & Politics Crime & Justice

Daughter of Farmworkers Nabs 9th Circuit Appeals Judgeship

11/15/2023
Ana de Alba, a first-generation Mexican-American who is the daughter of farmworkers, was confirmed by the U.S. Senate to serve as a judge on the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. Alba was confirmed by a 48-43 vote.

From CalMatters...

Public Safety Education Elections & Politics Government

Backlash Politics: How Conservatives Have Success Rolling Back California Progressivism

11/14/2023
Lacking power at the state level, conservatives are leaning into local governance to protest California’s progressive politics. The fight in Huntington Beach could be a harbinger of what’s to come.

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Education Elections & Politics Government

How to Spot Fake News Now Part of California School Curriculum

11/13/2023
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AB 873 requires that schools add media literacy skills education throughout all subjects.

From Sacramento Bee...

Elections & Politics

Barbara Lee’s Lagging Senate Bid Doesn’t Equal Another House Term

11/13/2023
Longtime Rep. Barbara Lee trails fellow representative Katie Porter and former Rep. Adam Schiff in their race for U.S. Senate. Lee still expressed determination to not seek a 14th term in the House, saying she’s running for Senate.

From Santa Cruz Sentinel...

Elections & Politics Crime & Justice

Santa Cruz Judges Face No Opposition in Primary

11/13/2023
No contenders have filed to run against four sitting judges whose terms expire in 2024. The incumbents are Syda Cogliati, Jordan Sheinbaum, Katherine Hansen, and Leila Sayar—three of whom were appointed to their current terms.

Santa Cruz County Local News: Elections & Politics