Health CareAmid Pandemic Chaos, California Legislators Fight for Major Health Care BillsAugust 10, 2020The California legislature has had a bizarre year. Lawmakers left town abruptly in March to comply with lockdown orders and then again in July when some Assembly members tested positive for COVID-19, cutting the legislative session short.
State GovernmentAs California Clears Coronavirus Test Backlog, Newsom Tight-Lipped About Health Director’s DepartureAugust 10, 2020 | Nicole NixonGov. Gavin Newsom announced the backlog of 295,000 uncounted COVID-19 tests has been cleared and hinted that the departure of a top public health official was related to the incident. Listen / download audio Update RequiredTo play audio, update browser or Flash plugin.
State GovernmentCalifornia Public Health Director Abruptly ResignsAugust 10, 2020 | Scott Rodd | Nicole NixonDr. Sonia Angell shared the news in an email to colleagues Sunday, but did not provide a reason for her departure, which is effective immediately. The announcement comes after the state acknowledged an undercount of COVID-19 cases in recent data.
State GovernmentFaced With Dying Californians And Withering Businesses, Gov. Newsom Steers A Middle Path. Can It Last?August 7, 2020As coronavirus infections and deaths rise dramatically, the Democratic governor navigates pressure to both tighten restrictions and ease up on businesses.
State GovernmentCalifornia Grapples With COVID-19 Data Error, Resulting In Undercounts, But Official Says Cases Still On DeclineAugust 7, 2020 | Emily Zentner | Nicole NixonA technical issue that the state says goes back to July 25 has caused an underreporting of COVID-19 cases in the state, causing a backlog of 250,000 - 300,000 test results.
State GovernmentWith Contentious Measures On California’s Ballot, Lawsuits Over Language Pile UpAugust 6, 2020 | Nicole NixonBallot propositions offer a unique set of political battles in California every election cycle. Even though the election is still months away, another type of fight over initiatives has been playing out this week in the courts.
State GovernmentMandate Diversity? California Bill Would Ban All-White Corporate BoardsAugust 5, 2020A bill in the state legislature aims to require people of color in the boardroom. Some say it’s unconstitutional, others say it is necessary to ensure diversity.
State GovernmentCalifornia Has Lost A Greater Share Of Revenue Than Most States Due To COVID-19August 3, 2020 | Nicole NixonAn NPR nationwide analysis of states' revenue and budgets during the pandemic found tax revenue was down in California by 42% from March to May, in comparison to the same time last year.
EnvironmentExclusive: California’s Clean Air Programs Take A Hit In New Funding SqueezeAugust 3, 2020Projects that tackle vehicles, pollution in low-income communities, prescribed burns and even cows have lost 14% of their original budgets because of cap and trade shortfall.
State GovernmentIs The Summer Surge Fading? California’s Test-Positivity Rate Finally Declines.August 3, 2020 | Nicole NixonAfter stubbornly sitting above 7% for weeks, California’s 7-day average test-positivity rate fell to 6.1% Monday. Gov. Gavin Newsom said it’s a good sign but warned he still anticipates another wave of the virus in autumn.
