The "Dos Amigos" pumping plant, San Luis Canal, part of the California Aqueduct system; Los Banos, central California. Image by Sundry PhotographyOPINION – The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California recently adopted what could be a revolutionary policy, providing a lens through which to consider how to spend precious ratepayer dollars.
Image by Renata Hamuda. OPINION – Despite what many think, California spends a mere 1% of its total budget on housing and homelessness. Until we take bold action by dramatically increasing public investment and strengthening tenant protections, this crisis will only worsen.
Image by Albina GavrilovicOPINION – Over the past decade California’s homeless residents have endured a catastrophic addiction epidemic that has claimed thousands of lives and spread despair in communities across the state. Compassion requires a new course. AB 255 by Assemblymember Matt Haney (D-San Francisco) is a commonsense reform to support addiction recovery and save lives.
Sky Rock Petroglyphs in Bishop California. Image by Bakstad. An intense dispute between federally- and non-federally recognized California Native American tribes over a bill intended to give tribal governments more control over development that encroaches on their sacred lands has convinced the author to pause the measure.
Business in cannabis. Image by Yarphoto. California’s legal cannabis industry has struggled under heavy regulation and taxation while the black market has thrived. In an attempt to turn the tide, Assemblyman Matt Haney, D-San Francisco, has authored legislation to take some of the pressure off of California’s legal cannabis operators.
Image by Francesco Scatena. OPINION – Reintroduced this year without addressing previous critical concerns from legislators and stakeholders, SB 682 would create a vague and overly broad regulatory framework that could put California’s economy at risk.
California State Capitol building. Image by rschlieLawmakers returned from their spring break bills in hand and loaded for bear. This week’s edition of Capitol Briefs takes a look at some of those measures.
Image by LightFieldStudiosOPINION – For Black and Brown Californians, the digital divide is a reflection of systemic inequities that persist across education, health care, and economic opportunity. Too many of our students struggle with remote learning, elders are cut off from telehealth, and working families can’t afford reliable internet. As we push for racial justice, we must also fight for digital equity.
Image by PromesaArtStudioIn late March, Sen. Tom Umberg, D-Santa Ana, amended a spot bill, SB 47, to order the State Auditor to conduct an audit of the February 2025 bar exam. The bill would direct the auditor to submit findings “as soon as possible” to the Bar’s board of trustees, the Chief Justice of the California Supreme Court and the Senate Judiciary Committee and its Assembly counterpart.
Flag of State of California. Image by Arseniy45. What are the main component parts that comprise the California state budget? What is the “Budget Bill Jr.”? What is a Trailer Bill? The intrepid Chris Micheli, answers these and many other burning budget questions in this week’s Micheli Files.