View north over Highway 140, El Portal, and the Merced River canyon as a summer storm rolls on by. Screenshot from a time-lapse courtesy of ALERTCalifornia-UC San Diego.
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.
Easily go Deep in the Weeds of Governance
Our good friend, California Local’s CEO Chris Neklason, approaches the job of reporting on local government with the mind of an engineer. Elsewhere, he has pointed out that a fundamental rule of democratic governance holds that whenever public money is involved, there is an elected or appointed board tasked with managing that money. Engineers like rules, and this is a good one.
Here, Chris explains the basic setup that determines how public money is raised and spent. Pretty basic stuff, pretty important, and, I think you’ll agree, pretty easily understood.
The Supreme Court’s decision on homelessness will test a shelter system that’s full of problems – and lacking accountability.
(07/16/2024) CalMatters
California courts have long upheld below-minimum wage pay for prison inmates working a wide range of jobs. A 2024 ballot measure that would ban forced labor could alter those decisions.
(07/16/2024) CalMatters
A Kings County judge today issued a temporary restraining order against the state that pauses its unprecedented move to crack down on groundwater depletion in California’s agricultural heartland.
(07/16/2024) CalMatters
The Republican hopeful brought in more cash than Democratic rival Adam Schiff for the first time this campaign during the latest quarter, but still has less to spend.
(07/16/2024) CalMatters
Beginning Monday, 150 households in Fresno County are expected to receive a $500 prepaid card to spend on anything they’d like — no strings attached. It will be the first of 12 monthly recurring payments those Southwest Fresno and Huron residents will receive as part of a guaranteed basic income program for low-income families.
(07/12/2024) CalMatters
After the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022, California’s Democratic leaders moved fast to shore up reproductive rights: They persuaded voters to enshrine the right to an abortion in the state constitution, approved a dozen bills strengthening abortion protections and passed a law in May to enable Arizona doctors to temporarily provide abortion services for their patients in California.
(07/10/2024) CalMatters
Taking advantage of new state funds, some California healthcare providers are starting to offer what their homeless patients really need: housing.
(07/10/2024) CalMatters
Harnessing clean energy is a venture of unprecedented scope in California, bringing big changes to Humboldt and the Central Coast, and requiring 26 ports along the coast.
(07/10/2024) CalMatters
In three rulings the U.S. Supreme Court dealt a body blow to the federal bureaucracy. From healthcare to climate to workers’ rights, California’s rules often go farther.
(07/09/2024) CalMatters
