California Proposition 6 voter guide: A ban on involuntary servitude
California’s Constitution mirrors the 13th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which allows for involuntary servitude as punishment for crime. A growing list of states have…
California Proposition 4 voter guide: Climate bond
According to the 49-page proposal, $3.8 billion would be allocated to water projects, including those that provide for safe drinking water, recycle wastewater, store groundwater…
California Proposition 2 voter guide: Education bond
Opponents of the bill include some low-wealth districts and advocacy groups that say the proposal does not go far enough in addressing the equity gap…
California Proposition 3 voter guide: Gay marriage
Assemblymember Evan Low (D-Campbell) authored legislation asking voters to remove and replace the Proposition 8 definition, calling it “discriminatory and unconstitutional.” The measure comes amid…
California Proposition 5 voter guide: Local housing, road bonds
Currently, most local bond proposals require a two-thirds vote of the public to be approved. If voters pass Proposition 5, this threshold will be lowered…
California Proposition 33 voter guide: Expanded rent control
At the moment, state law limits rent increases for tenants in apartments and corporate-owned single-family homes that are older than 15 years. The cap is…
California Proposition 34 voter guide: healthcare spending
The measure is sponsored by the California Apartment Assn., which has tangled with the AIDS Healthcare Foundation for years over its efforts to enable stricter…
California Proposition 32 voter guide: Minimum-wage increase
The statewide minimum wage has not been changed in nearly a decade. Gov. Jerry Brown signed a law in 2016 to boost it to $15…
California Proposition 35 voter guide: Managed care organization tax
Proposition 35 is backed by the Coalition to Protect Access to Care, which includes a range of groups involved in healthcare. Among them are the…
2024 California election ballot propositions voter guide
In addition to a precarious presidential election and high-stakes U.S House races, California voters in November will also weigh in on a slew of statewide…
Newsom abandons effort to put competing Prop. 47 measure on ballot
SACRAMENTO — In a wild turn of events, Gov. Gavin Newsom and Democratic lawmakers backed away Tuesday from plans to put an anti-crime measure on the…
Gov. Newsom announces rival ballot initiative on theft and drug reform
The California Legislature this week is expected to approve a voter initiative for the November ballot to crack down on retail theft and fentanyl dealers,…
Why Latinos are California’s most misunderstood voters
Book Review The Latino Century: How America's Largest Minority is Transforming Democracy By Mike MadridSimon & Schuster: 272 pages, $28.99If you buy books linked on…
California lawmakers at odds over passing retail theft laws
SAN FRANCISCO — After coming out as gay at 14 years old, Nicholas Michael Nelson was kicked out of the family home in Oceanside and…
Column: Stop playing politics on retail theft crackdown
SACRAMENTO — It’s hardball season in California’s state Capitol, and we’re not talking baseball. At times like this, I think of two all-star political philosophers: Otto…
Alex Padilla first Latino elected to Senate from California
Democratic Sen. Alex Padilla made history again Tuesday night when he became the first Latino to be elected to represent California in the U.S. Senate.…
Newsom calls on California voters to reaffirm same-sex marriage
SAN FRANCISCO — Twenty years after he issued marriage licenses to same-sex couples in defiance of federal law as mayor of San Francisco, Gov. Gavin Newsom…
Changes to retail theft bills may splinter Prop. 47 initiative support
SACRAMENTO — Legislative leaders plan to fast-track bills to crack down on retail theft in California and are using the package of reforms to pressure supporters…
Column: Unaffordable homeowner’s insurance is leaving Californians exposed to the elements
SACRAMENTO — Memorial Day weekend means the start of summer vacations — and also the onset of wildfire season. Many Californians will be going “naked.” Lots…
California makes $3.3 billion available for mental health beds
Gov. Gavin Newsom is set to announce Tuesday that the state will make $3.3 billion in funding available by July to begin building inpatient and…