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, seem 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. Gotta 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.
Yolo County is preparing an ordinance to mandate licensing requirements for mobile food vendors.
(08/25/2024) Daily Democrat
In their August 6 meeting, the Winters City Council approved an application for a Community Development Block Grant for $3.25 million toward the construction of a new senior center.
(08/24/2024) Winters Express
Yolo County is sponsoring a Farmworker Resource Fair at Woodland Community College on September 6.
(08/24/2024) Daily Democrat
Yolo County residents are asked to contribute to a County Department of Community Services survey to help prioritize rural infrastructure projects.
(08/23/2024) Davis Enterprise
Dozens of young people held a demonstration on August 17 in downtown Sacramento to protest the banking industry's contribution to the escalating effects of climate change.
(08/22/2024) CapPublicRadio
A proposal to increase limits on total cannabis dispensaries in Sacramento was shelved following input from current dispensary owners who asserted the local market is oversaturated.
(08/21/2024) CapPublicRadio
Sacramento State has put a corrected version of the CapRadio audit report online.
(08/20/2024) The Sacramento Bee
The Sacramento Area Council of Governments is seeking public input through an online survey about what areas in the region are most in need of transportation investment.
(08/20/2024) The Sacramento Bee
There's an increase of Sacramento area teens becoming addicted to nicotine.
(08/19/2024) CapPublicRadio
Pharmacy benefit managers attempt to negotiate cost savings for insurers. California is considering new rules that would require them to pass their discounts on to consumers.
(08/27/2024) CalMatters
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
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
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
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
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
The Sacramento Bee explains Proposition 6, the initiative to ban involuntary servitude.
(08/21/2024) The Sacramento Bee
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
Schools that banned phones a few years ago have advice for other districts as the governor calls for a crackdown.
(08/19/2024) CalMatters
