Heat Waves, Mountaintop Cameras, and Municipal Budgets

I write to you this evening as always from Sacramento, where we have endured a string of 100-plus degree days, including several 110-plus degree days. We avoided aestivation by hunkering down in our blackout-drapes-darkened, air-conditioned apartment, and escaping to our blessed neighborhood public swimming pool and our favorite lake in the nearby Sierra. 

Many Californians are not so fortunate. At best, they might have been able to access “cooling centers”—but most did not, because California cities and counties have not invested sufficient resources to make them easily accessible.

The feature article in this week’s edition of The Newsletter deals with the admittedly bone-dry topic of municipal budgeting. That is: how your local governments spend your tax money on essential services—from schools to cooling centers to municipal swimming pools. This, as you will see, is the essence of democratic governance.

(It’s actually a pretty easy read, and while I don’t mean to get too “eat your vegetables“ here, this will help you be a better-informed citizen. Thank you and you’re welcome.)

But first something easy and fun: a bunch of short-and-sweet videos that we are calling California Views.

Also, this week as always a bite-sized digest of the important news that might impact you and your community… and a recipe that might add some deliciousness to your week.