04/10/2025
In 1971 California’s Supreme Court issued one of its most important and far-reaching decisions, declaring that the state’s system of financing public schools — primarily via locally levied property taxes — was unconstitutionally unfair.

From CalMatters...

Environment Water State of California

Oil Company Fined Record $18 Million for Defying State Orders to Stop Work on Pipeline

04/10/2025
The pipeline caused a major oil spill a decade ago, fouling the ocean off Santa Barbara County. The new owners say they don’t need new permits for repairs. The fine is the Coastal Commission’s largest.

From CalMatters...

Education Elections & Politics State of California

Trump Canceled Millions in California School Grants. The State Is Suing to Reclaim the Money

04/10/2025
Schools had until March 2026 to spend remaining COVID relief money. The U.S. Department of Education cut those funds, amounting to about $200 million for California K-12 schools.

From CalMatters...

Health Elections & Politics State of California

He Spent Decades Researching Dementia. Trump’s DEI Purge Killed His Grant, and Dozens More

04/09/2025
This researcher’s project joins at least 30 others across the University of California system that have been terminated by the National Institutes of Health. Those multi-year awards were worth more than $173 million.

From CalMatters...

Public Safety Land Use & Development Resilience State of California

Could Utility Gear Set Your Neighborhood on Fire? California Risk Maps Are 8 Years Old

04/09/2025
California’s Public Advocate has been pressing for new utility fire maps since 2023. Utilities are on board — but regulators turned them down.