California justice, image by MehaniqOPINION: Last week, AB 1633 passed the State Senate by a single vote despite a strong campaign by environmental justice advocates to stop the bill. Unless vetoed by the Governor, this bill will tip the scales in favor of powerful development and industry interests and against everyday Californians and vulnerable communities.
Historical building of Wells Fargo in San Francisco's financial district. Photo: Takako Hatayama-Phillips, via Shutterstock)San Francisco has taken its first major step toward establishing a public bank, and other California municipalities are also moving forward in exploring public banking, including a regional effort by cities and counties on the Central Coast. The California statute reportedly is adding fuel to a nationwide public banking effort.
Housing in a San Francisco neighborhood. (Photo: Bertl 123, via Shutterstock) ANALYSIS: While most electoral contests in San Francisco are a fierce fight, incumbents up for reelection tend to have an easy run. A year ago, few thought that State Senator Scott Wiener would have difficulty defending his District 11 seat. When activist and first-time candidate Jackie Fielder came in second in the spring primary – 33% to Wiener’s 56% — people started to comment on the race.
Tom Ammiano at a gay rights rally in 2011. (Photo: Pax Ahimsa Gethen, Wikipedia Commons)Tom Ammiano is a San Francisco icon. The first openly gay teacher in San Francisco, he served on the board of San Francisco Unified School District and in the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, with future mayor, lieutenant governor and governor Gavin Newsom. He ran unsuccessfully for mayor several times and made his way to Sacramento, where he served in the Assembly from 2008 to 2014.
Gavin Newsom, then a candidate for governor, addresses a group last year during a campaign stop. (Photo: Associated Press)Gavin Christopher Newsom is tall and handsome, with a beautiful wife and four adorable children. He’d like to be California’s next governor, and, if the polls are correct, he’ll get his wish. But the golden-boy image attached to the lieutenant governor isn’t the whole picture. Newsom’s life has had its dark times.
Former Assembloyman Roger Niello. (Photo: rogerniello.com)He was elected to his last term in the Assembly nearly a decade ago, but it’s hard to drive around Sacramento without seeing his name constantly. From Acura to Volvo, the Niello name can be found on license plate frames throughout the region.
Former legislator Adrian Fondse in the orchard near his home in Ripon. (Photo: Alex Vassar)Just over an hour south of Sacramento on Highway 99 is the small farming town of Ripon. East of town are miles after miles of almond groves. Driving past rows of trees on a nearly empty road, you may come to a small clearing with a sign noting that you’ve arrived at “Fonz’s Place.” And it literally is.