Billionaire hits a hard patch, the economy is on a roll, and help is wanted in health care
CALmatters is a Sacramento-based nonpartisan, nonprofit journalism venture committed to explaining how California's state Capitol works and why it matters. It works with more than 130 media partners throughout the state that have long, deep relationships with their local audiences, including Embarcadero Media (publisher of the Palo Alto Weekly, Mountain View Voice, Pleasanton Weekly and The Almanac in Menlo Park and their websites.)
Here are the most recent stories reported by CALmatters' team of journalists:
A slow-motion disaster
Rising costs for public employee pensions threaten city services and will require higher taxes.
Mon, Aug 19, 2019 12:01 am
An election reform: Let voters make clear which candidates they truly dislike
William L. Rukeyser, political commentator: Recognizing the powerful effects of negative feelings, and recognizing that some elections are between two widely unpopular candidates, what can we do to harness those emotions and translate them into more public participation? The answer may be simpler than you think.
Sun, Aug 18, 2019 8:00 am
Is recession on our horizon?
The factors affecting California's economic future are very volatile, making it difficult to forecast the next recession.
Sun, Aug 18, 2019 12:01 am
Paging more doctors: California’s worsening physician shortage
California is facing a growing shortage of primary care physicians, one that is already afflicting rural areas and low-income inner city areas, and is forecasted to impact millions of people within ten years. Not enough newly minted doctors are going into primary care, and a third of the doctors in the state are over 55 and looking to retire soon.
Fri, Aug 16, 2019 2:21 pm
Trying to help mentally ill jail inmates, trying to quit cars, and the $3 billion cash crop
Legislator wants money for mentally ill inmates. California looks for new ways to get people out of cars. State leads the way in super commutes.
Fri, Aug 16, 2019 3:30 am
Can California put cars in the rear-view mirror?
It's as hard for drivers to contemplate life without cars as it is for officials to discuss it.
Thu, Aug 15, 2019 3:29 pm
To prevent mass shootings, California should rely on science, not rhetoric
Vern Pierson, El Dorado County District Attorney: The media and many politicians appear to see each mass shooter as unique. They are not. Instead, these actors and their narrative should be viewed as pieces of a larger puzzle. Rather than staring at the individual piece trying to understand it, we need to examine its broader context for commonality with other attackers.
Thu, Aug 15, 2019 8:35 am
Ethnic studies pause, prison issues, Elizabeth Warren’s California foray, and the West Hollywood dream
Ethnic studies plan hits roadblock. Federal class-action suit against California prisons drags on. Family reaches settlement in prison suicide.
Thu, Aug 15, 2019 3:30 am
Property tax measure altered
Sponsors of a "split roll" ballot measure to increase property taxes on commercial real estate are withdrawing it from the 2020 ballot and will seek to place a revised version before voters next year.
Thu, Aug 15, 2019 12:01 am
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Nominations due by Sept. 16
Pleasanton Weekly and DanvilleSanRamon.com are once again putting out a call for nominations and sponsorships for the annual Tri-Valley Heroes awards - our salute to the community members dedicated to bettering the Tri-Valley and the lives of its residents.
