As California voters consider whether to increase the state’s minimum wage, they should keep in mind that the proposed hike is very modest and would benefit the neediest workers among us. Proposition 32 would raise minimum pay by 2026 to $18 an hour, about $1 more than it would be otherwise. That’s still not … Read more
By Jeanne Kuang | CalMatters California touted a victory for working people in 2016 when it enacted a sweeping series of minimum hikes, making sure the lowest-wage workers would earn at least $15 an hour by 2022. Then-Gov. Jerry Brown, while signing the law, spoke of “giving people their due;” then-Senate leader Kevin de León … Read more
San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan is stepping up his support for expanding treatment resources and more accountability for repeat drug and retail theft offenders by forming a campaign committee with other elected officials from nonpartisan offices to spur the passage of Proposition 36. Mahan announced Wednesday that he is joining forces with Sacramento District Attorney … Read more
Despite years of studies, enthusiasm from local elected officials and widespread concerns about the Bay Area’s lack of affordable housing, the $20 billion regional housing bond set to appear before voters this November could be cut from the ballot. Citing voters’ dwindling support for new taxes, the Bay Area Housing Finance Authority, the regional body … Read more
Would voters in the nine-county Bay Area be more likely to support affordable “homes” or “houses” when they’re asked to vote on a $20 billion bond measure this fall? A group opposing the November ballot item is suing the Bay Area Housing Finance Authority, a regional body that put the measure on the ballot, arguing … Read more
California politics being what they are — deeply blue domination by Democrats — means that many of the races on the November ballot are already decided. The outcome of Democratic President Joe Biden’s replay battle with Republican predecessor Donald Trump — assuming that both are nominated — is very much in doubt nationally. However, Biden … Read more
Seven years ago, California’s Supreme Court declared broad support for the historic right of voters to make law through the initiative process. Ruling in a case dubbed “Upland,” the court said that while governments are subject to voter-approved constitutional restraints on raising taxes, tax increases proposed via initiative need only simple majority votes for enactment. But the decision embraced … Read more
Efforts to craft a Bay Area transportation funding plan are coming off the rails as South Bay leaders make clear that they don’t want their constituents taxed for up to three decades to bail out BART and San Francisco MUNI. San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan, state Sen. Dave Cortese and Santa Clara County Supervisor Cindy … Read more
BY MARISA KENDALL AND YUE STELLA YU | CalMatters Backers of a tough-on-crime California ballot measure put homelessness at the forefront of their campaign to roll back Prop. 47. But would the measure actually help get people housed? Homelessness gets top billing in a measure likely to make it onto your November ballot. Whether the … Read more
Gov. Gavin Newsom celebrated the passage of Prop. 1 at a Downtown L.A. press conference on Tuesday, March 21, after tense weeks during which his $6.4 billion mental-health bond measure teetered dangerously close to failure. Having narrowly escaped political disaster, Newsom was thrilled with his narrow victory. “I’ve never been associated with something I’m more … Read more