Hope for California’s Southern and Central Coast Mountain Lions
(From Press Release) – Current protections under California law couldn’t save p56, the first lion killed under…
Monday Morning Thoughts: We Need Alternatives to SB 50
Last week I was asked the following question on SB 50: “There seems to be a ‘dearth’…
Senator Wiener Introduces Legislation to Prevent Wrongful Convictions Resulting from Faulty Expert Witness Testimony
SB 938 would ensure expert testimony used as admissible evidence in court has sound methodology and would…
Commentary: Lots of Opposition to SB 50, Few Alternatives Offered
Veteran columnist George Skelton has an excellent analysis, pinning down key opponents of SB 50 – Senator…
Senator Wiener Wants to Turn PG&E into a Publicly-Owned Utility
In an effort to fundamentally reform PG&E, this legislation will turn it into a public utility focused…
SB 50 Fails Again; Proponents Unsure of Next Step for Housing
For the second day in a row, SB 50 lost on an 18-15 vote, although Senator Scott…
Commentary: SB 50 Fails Again in Senate Vote – Time to Shelve the Idea?
The state of California is mired in a housing crisis. All involved seem to understand the need…
Senator Skinner Announces Bill to Raise the Age to be Tried as an Adult
(From Press Release – Senator Skinner) – Sen. Nancy Skinner, D-Berkeley, announced today Senate Bill 889, which…
United Farm Workers Endorse SB 50
(From Press Release) – Today, the United Farm Workers of America (UFW) announced their endorsement of SB…
My View: Governor Newsom’s Full Court Press Attacks the Homeless Problem, but Is It Enough?
This week Governor Newsom has put on a full court press on the issue of homelessness, which…
Major Anti-Poverty and Environmental Justice Groups Endorse SB 50
SB 50 picked up new endorsements from anti-poverty group United Ways of California and environmental justice group…
Taxpayers Face Escalating Liability as Wrongly Convicted Inmate Sues CDCR for Facilitating Hate Crime
The Vanguard has learned that a pre-dawn 911 call from R.J. Donovan Prison led to an ambulance…
California Supreme Court Justice Announces Retirement; Newsom To Make First Appointment
By Danielle Silva On January 15, California Supreme Court Justice Ming W. Chin announced he will be…
Governor Newsom Expands Office of State Public Defender with $4 Million Budget Increase and $3.5 Million Annually Thereafter
By Danielle Silva Governor Gavin Newsom has proposed a $4 million budget increase for 2020-2021 and $3.5…
Senator Skinner Applauds Gov. Newsom’s Budget for Plan to Close a State Prison
(From Press Release – Senator Skinner) – State Sen. Nancy Skinner, D-Berkeley, issued the following statement today…
Sunday Commentary: Will SB 50 Solve the Housing Crisis? How Can We Increase Affordable Housing?
Senate Bill 50 is back… again… for the third time. It is controversial, with opponents arguing that…
Fiscal Transparency Legislation Introduced to Strengthen LCFF
(From Press Release – Assemblymember Weber) — Assemblymember Shirley N. Weber (D- San Diego) and Assemblymember Sharon…
Senator Wiener Announces Revised SB 50, with New Local Flexibility Option for Cities, as Well as New Endorsements
Amendments to major zoning reform legislation allow more local flexibility. New housing equity groups and elected officials…
Will the Third Time Be the Charm for SB 50?
Twice San Francisco-area Senator Scott Wiener has introduced legislation that would reform zoning in California – twice…
Assemblymember Bonta Announces Launch of California Green New Deal
(From Press Release – Assemblymember Bonta) – Assemblymember Rob Bonta (D-Oakland) today unveiled details of the California…