‘Mandela’ Bill Would Limit Solitary Confinement in California Prisons and Jails

By Nigel Duara/CalMatters on September 26, 2022 at 11:43AM

Solitary confinement in and out of favor Research conducted in the last 20 years has shown solitary confinement to be harmful to the people incarcerated, as well as expensive and ineffective in rehabilitating prisoners.

Will Women Rule in the 2022 California Election?

By Sameea Kamal/CalMatters on September 22, 2022 at 1:34PM

Still, many women running for the Legislature for the first time face similar barriers to any political newcomer: smaller support networks, difficulty fundraising and, in some cases, targeted attacks. Despite clinching a spot on the November ballot in one of the most-watched Assembly races this year, Redwood City Mayor Giselle Hale dropped out six weeks after the June primary, shocking the California political world. 

UPDATE: Planning Director Disputes Developer's Account as More Permit Problems Arise for Schneider

By Thadeus Greenson on September 1, 2022 at 5:26PM

“Humboldt County Code requires an approved sewage treatment system for construction of any occupied building in the county,” writes Owen. To make matters worse, Owen points out that his division also has concerns, based on the site plan, that Schneider’s unpermitted road may have impacted the designated septic dispersal field areas.

PlanCo Staff Recommends Approval of Schneider Permit; Documents Shed New Light on Contentious Meeting

By Thadeus Greenson on September 1, 2022 at 10:41AM

A couple weeks after the matter spilled cantankerously into public view, Humboldt County and Building Department staff is recommending the Planning Commission approve the permits necessary to allow a local developer to continue construction of his family home, with some revised conditions, at its meeting tonight. The issue arose after Travis Schneider violated the terms of a coastal development permit needed for construction of his 8,000 square foot family home Walker Point Road near Fay Slough, south of the Indianola Cutoff and east of U.S. Highway 101.

‘Forcing the Hand’: Gavin Newsom Leans into Legislative Agenda as First Terms Nears End

By Alexei Koseff/CalMatters on August 31, 2022 at 12:49PM

The shift in the governor’s approach, according to lawmakers and others who have worked with Newsom, is likely due to some combination of necessity and opportunity — a desire to establish a stronger legal foundation and longer-lasting impact for his policies, deeper relationships with the Legislature after years at the Capitol, a chance to return to campaign promises sidelined by an all-consuming coronavirus pandemic. There is also his reelection campaign — he will face voters again in November — plus the growing national speculation over Newsom’s potential presidential aspirations, which would benefit from bulking up his record of accomplishments.

T-minus 3 Days for California Lawmakers

By Emily Hoeven, CalMatters on August 29, 2022 at 7:13PM

The two-year legislative session ends Wednesday at midnight, giving Gov. Gavin Newsom and state lawmakers just three days to hammer out agreements on complex, controversial bills and budget items encompassing everything from nuclear power to abortion to youth vaccination. According to veteran Sacramento lobbyist Chris Micheli, legislators still need to determine the fate of about 525 bills, or about 175 per day.

‘Close to the Line:’ California’s Top Campaign Finance Watchdog Wants a Deeper Look at Donor Network

By Alexei Koseff/CalMatters on August 26, 2022 at 11:57AM

Days after CalMatters published its article earlier this month, Dave Low, a former labor union leader, filed a complaint with the commission. Low characterized Govern For California’s network of legally independent campaign committees as a “corporate structure that facilitates money laundering and vastly exceeds the contribution limits to candidates.”

Back to School: California Republicans Bet Big on Local Board Races

By Sameea Kamal/CalMatters on August 17, 2022 at 9:40AM

When California Republicans gathered in Anaheim this spring, attention focused on candidate speeches and endorsement battles as the party tries to win its first statewide race since 2006.  But a little-noticed, hour-long session in a small conference room at the Marriott could very well be more consequential for the state GOP this election.

Suspense File: Which Bills did California Lawmakers Kill?

By Ben Christopher, CALmatters on August 15, 2022 at 2:27PM

In theory, this arcane procedure allows lawmakers to quickly run through the hundreds of fiscal bills they need to consider by the end of the legislative session, which arrives at the end of this month. Today, the two committees ran through more than 820 bills.

Dozens Attend March For Our Lives Event in Arcata

By Thadeus Greenson on June 14, 2022 at 11:46AM