CALMatters | Mountain View Online |

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:

‘We feel alone’: L.A. fire survivors call for California’s insurance commissioner to resign

California Gov. Gavin Newsom is also facing pressure to oust Commissioner Ricardo Lara as insurance policyholders struggle with delayed and denied claims months after the Los Angeles fires.

Fri, Nov 7, 2025 2:39 pm

CA lawmakers reserve hundreds of millions for earmarks

Earlier this summer, California lawmakers including Gov. Gavin Newsom worked to close a multibillion-dollar deficit. But a closer look at “pork-barrel spending” raises questions about whether the state’s $325-billion spending plan is going to those who need it most, writes CalMatters’ Ryan Sabalow. To win the favor of their constituencies and tip the scales for […]

Fri, Nov 7, 2025 6:00 am

California lawmakers found money for these pet projects even as they slashed the budget

California lawmakers faced a difficult budget year, but they still managed to put hundreds of millions of dollars in earmarks in the state budget to benefit their districts — and help them get re-elected.

Fri, Nov 7, 2025 5:30 am

Pollution-plagued port communities near LA and Long Beach say regulator excludes them

Communities near the ports say regulators didn't consider their input when weighing a cooperative agreement about pollution from the ports.

Fri, Nov 7, 2025 5:30 am

What veto drama and a Texas trip tell us about a potential shift in California’s homelessness strategy

California is under pressure to embrace more temporary homeless shelters and programs that require sobriety, at the potential expense of long-term housing.

Fri, Nov 7, 2025 5:30 am

Increasingly irrelevant, California’s Republican Party is even more isolated after Prop. 50

In recent years, California Republicans wielded far more influence in Congress than in the state Legislature, thanks to House Speaker Kevin McCarthy. But since his ouster, and now under Prop. 50 maps, the GOP is increasingly isolated.

Fri, Nov 7, 2025 5:30 am

If Trump’s EPA abandons climate policy, could California take over on greenhouse gases?

Legal experts, including a former federal official and UCLA professor, say California could go it alone if the federal government stops regulating greenhouse gases. One reason to try is to protect the state’s clean-car economy.

Fri, Nov 7, 2025 5:02 am

California’s pro-housing laws have failed to raise new home numbers

New housing starts were around 100,000 a year when Newsom took office in 2019; they still hover around that number today.

Fri, Nov 7, 2025 5:01 am

California Supreme Court rejects free speech challenge to LGBT protections in nursing homes

The California Supreme Court upheld a law protecting the rights of LGBT people in nursing homes, including by forbidding employees from misgendering those patients.

Thu, Nov 6, 2025 3:28 pm

Rep. Nancy Pelosi announces retirement after 38 years in Congress

Her retirement, which comes amid Democrats’ cries for a new generation of leadership, sets the stage for a showdown between a progressive challenger and a well-known moderate state senator.

Thu, Nov 6, 2025 6:02 am

California Gov. Gavin Newsom is also facing pressure to oust Commissioner Ricardo Lara as insurance policyholders struggle with delayed and denied claims months after the Los Angeles fires.

California lawmakers faced a difficult budget year, but they still managed to put hundreds of millions of dollars in earmarks in the state budget to benefit their districts — and help them get re-elected.

Communities near the ports say regulators didn't consider their input when weighing a cooperative agreement about pollution from the ports.

California is under pressure to embrace more temporary homeless shelters and programs that require sobriety, at the potential expense of long-term housing.

In recent years, California Republicans wielded far more influence in Congress than in the state Legislature, thanks to House Speaker Kevin McCarthy. But since his ouster, and now under Prop. 50 maps, the GOP is increasingly isolated.

Legal experts, including a former federal official and UCLA professor, say California could go it alone if the federal government stops regulating greenhouse gases. One reason to try is to protect the state’s clean-car economy.

New housing starts were around 100,000 a year when Newsom took office in 2019; they still hover around that number today.

The California Supreme Court upheld a law protecting the rights of LGBT people in nursing homes, including by forbidding employees from misgendering those patients.

Her retirement, which comes amid Democrats’ cries for a new generation of leadership, sets the stage for a showdown between a progressive challenger and a well-known moderate state senator.

Stay informed.

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