The Sacramento Bee, Modesto Bee, Merced Sun-Star, Fresno Bee and San Luis Obispo Tribune are launching a discussion about important issues facing the state of California. For a second consecutive year, we've brought together 100 influential Californians from a variety of industries and perspectives who will offer their views through year's end.
In the News
New legislation announced Wednesday would require plastic and other single-use materials sold in California to be either reusable, fully recyclable or compostable by 2030.
California voters have consistently backed the building of affordable housing, and they have been generous in paying for it. Since 1988, the state has passed seven housing bonds worth more than $9 billion to fund the construction of homes for seniors, the homeless, farmworkers and low-income families.
A Los Angeles-area lawmaker is proposing a 2020 ballot measure that would remove from the California Constitution a provision that makes it harder to build low-income housing. Sen. Ben Allen (D-Santa Monica) wants to eliminate Article 34 of the state Constitution, which requires a citywide public vote before new low-income housing projects that receive public funding are built.
Catching swordfish off the coast of California today means leaving mile long mesh nets deep in the ocean overnight. But what fishermen pull up is mostly not swordfish. For every one of the hefty, long-billed swordfish in a net, it’s estimated that there are four other marine animals entangled there.
Whale watchers were elated last summer by the rare sight of more than 40 short-finned pilot whales frolicking in the Southern California surf. But the excited onlookers were likely unaware of the hidden dangers lurking below the waves, threatening the lives of these whales and many of the world’s most iconic sea creatures.
The new state budget — the last one signed by Governor Jerry Brown — has over $50 million more for funding arts and arts education. We did a break down of the dollars to see where the money is going. Starting with the California Arts Council.
What did they get?
A Marin-based environmental group is backing state legislation to rid the ocean of drift gill nets it says accidentally injure or kill marine mammals.
