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California health authorities eye coronavirus threat

A passenger aboard a Princess Cruise ship in San Pedro harbor in Los Angeles. (Photo: Mary T-Comms, via Shutterstock

California public health officials are doing their best to calm fears about COVID-19, the disease causing the global outbreak of coronavirus. There have been 15 confirmed cases of the disease in the state as of Feb. 21, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,  the health risk to the general public here remains low, the California Department of Public Health reported.

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November ballot plan seeks new school money, would alter Prop. 13 of 1978

A California school classroom. (Photo: Monkey Business Imagesd, via Shutterstock)

An initiative to reclaim up to $12 billion for California public schools and local communities could make its way onto the ballot in November 2020. Proponents of the measure say it will force large corporations to pay their fair share in property taxes. The Schools & Communities First initiative would amend the current property tax law established under Proposition 13 in 1978.

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Two million and counting: California’s early voters

An iillustration of California's official voter information for the March 3 ballot. (Photo: Wild as Light, via Shutterstock)

The March 3 primary is right around the corner, but nearly 2 million California voters have already cast ballots. As these voters return their ballots, many are receiving an email to participate in a Capitol Weekly survey asking about their experience, who they voted for and why. This survey, conducted since the beginning of the early voting period, has reached more than 7,500 voters, nearly 6,000 who participated in the Democratic presidential primary.

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Following the money — in cash

Counting the cash. (Photo: NATNN, via Shutterstock)

When Steve Swanson decided to stop accepting cash at his longtime chain of Sacramento area dry cleaning stores, it seemed to make all the sense in the world.  “Cash was such a small portion of our operation,” he says. “Some days we might have only a few dollars for a whole day.” But soon he might not have a choice.

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Poll: Slim majority supports school facilities bond

A middle school in Marin County. (Photo: Osaze Cuomo, via Shutterstock)

PPIC: A March ballot measure to authorize state bonds for public education facilities is supported by slightly more than half of voters. Seven in ten Californians approve of Governor Newsom’s proposal to spend $1 billion to address homelessness. These are among the key findings of a statewide survey released today by the Public Policy Institute of California.

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CA120: Confusion for independents hoping to vote Democratic

A sign at a political rally urging Democrats to register to vote. (Photo: AlessandraRC, via Shutterstock)

Despite the several avenues for nonpartisans to obtain a presidential primary ballot, we now have the data from all 58 counties. Remarkably, only 9% of California’s growing independent and vote-by-mail population have successfully obtained a partisan presidential primary ballot. For 91% of nonpartisan voters, there is no presidential race on the ballot they received in the mail.

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Sparse state funding for rape crisis centers — again

Photo illustration of a sexual assault survivor: (Image: Joe Techapanupreeda, via Shutterstock)

Despite a continued rise in California’s cost of living and the increase in the centers’ operating expenses, the state’s general fund contribution to its 84 rape crisis centers remains at $45,000 and $1.7 million from the State Penalty Fund, far less than the funding from the federal government through Congressional appropriations.

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Health care: Nurse practitioners push for greater role

A medical practitioner checks the blood pressure on an older patient. (Photo: Alexander Raths, via Shutterstock)

As California contends with a shortage of primary care doctors, some legislators are pushing to have nurse practitioners fill in the gaps. Assembly Bill 890, which is now headed to the Senate, would remove the requirement that nurse practitioners practice under a physician’s supervision.

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Housing dispute gears back up over key bill

A billboard urging approval for SB 50 in Santa Clara. (Photo: Sundry Photography, via Shutterstock)

Moments after the state Senate failed to pass SB 50, a bill that would have relaxed zoning laws to combat the state’s housing crisis, Senate Leader Toni Atkins vowed to pass housing legislation this year. But after three attempts — and three failures — to get SB 50 to the governor’s desk, the outlook rains uncertain. 

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Tracking poll: Sanders expands lead in March 3 primary

Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders at a rally in Ventura County during his 2016 run for president. (Photo: Joseph Sohm, via Shutterstock.

The final Capitol Weekly tracking poll is out. And it is finishing off with a bang. Last month’s leader in California’s Democratic presidential primary, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, is extending his lead, now up to 29%.  The surge is seemingly drawing straight out of Massachusetts Sen.Elizabeth Warren who drops to 16%, just above the all-important 15% threshold. 

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