News
Compensating the families of Black Californians who were scarred by slavery is a delicate, complex and controversial task — as the unprecedented state panel pondering the issue is finding out. The “fact that California is taking the first steps toward reparations for slavery is a major milestone,” Justine Leroy an assistant professor at UC Davis whose research specializes in the history of slavery and emancipation, said of the March 29 vote.
Podcast
Just a quickie this week! We’re taking a little Spring Break from the regular podcast so all we have for you this time is the Worst Week in California Politics– and if you’ve been following the news you won’t
News
The health information exchange, or HIE, has received little public attention. But it would cover 40 million people in California’s 58 counties, and would in part quickly inform emergency room doctors and nurses of a patient’s medical history, e.g., a preexisting condition, before her care.
Podcast
We are joined today by San Diego Assemblyman Chris Ward. Ward represents the 78th District, which like most of the state, has been hard hit by the lack of affordable housing. While most housing affordability advocates approach this problem by focusing on strategies to increase supply, Ward has introduced a bill, AB 1771, that aims to keep prices in check by deterring house-flippers.
Podcast
With gasoline prices hovering in the mid $5 range, many Californians are taking a new look at the option of driving an Electric Vehicle. We spoke with former Assemblyman Lloyd Levine, a longtime EV fan, who established himself as one of California’s leading experts in energy, telecommunications, and technology policy while in the legislature. Will spiking gas prices move California drivers to the EV tipping point?
News
California’s stem cell agency, created as a way to develop revolutionary cures based on human embryonic stem cells, has awarded $316 million over the last 12 months, most of it backing a type of therapy that was not even on the agency’s radar when it was created in 2004.
News
The pandemic-prompted shift to at-home work dramatically reduced the number of cars on the road, so people drove faster, drank more, paid less attention and got lazy about their seatbelts, all of which contributed to the highest rate of fatal accidents in more than a decade.
News
Newsom’s plan would create an entirely new system of civil court supervision, connecting individuals with intensive treatment and, equally important, housing. By his estimate, it would help 7,000-to-12,000 severely mentally ill people each year, many with chronic physical conditions that are worsened by life on the streets, clearly unable to care for themselves. It would not replace existing programs.
Podcast
Even “retired,” Daniel Zingale can’t leave the political fray. He is currently serving on the Delta Stewardship Council, is part of the California 100 Project, and recently announced that he joined the veteran lobby firm Sacramento Advocates. We also learned that he helped his former boss, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, promote his recent message to the Russian people about Ukraine.
News
Ted Gray and Jason Bryant committed violent felonies when they were 22 and 20 years old, respectively. Consequently, the young duo received lengthy prison sentences. That was then. Today, they are older and wiser and cofounders of Creating Restorative Opportunities and Programs (CROP). It aims to help formerly incarcerated people striving to be productive members of society.
Vocal advocates of reparations gather outside a 2019 Democratic event. (Photo: michelmond, via Shutterstock)
