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CalMatters
California, explained
When it comes to California elections, it’s out with the old and in with the new.
Secretary of State Shirley Weber on Friday certified the results from the June 7 primary election, which for many Californians probably already feels like a lifetime ago as the state’s political focus shifts to the complex and controversial initiatives on the November ballot and the persistent rumors that Gov. Gavin Newsom may be contemplating a presidential run in 2024.
Still, there was one key new takeaway from the June primary results: Despite concerns of low voter turnout, a record 7,285,230 residents cast ballots — a new high for a California gubernatorial primary, Weber announced. Although that represents just 33% of ballots mailed to active registered voters, the turnout was nevertheless remarkable considering the lack of drama in top statewide races and the absence of statewide ballot measures, a Public Policy Institute of California analysis found.
On to November 2022 — and, yes, even 2024:
The coronavirus bottom line: As of Thursday, California had 9,677,827 confirmed cases (+0.6% from previous day) and 92,185 deaths (+0.1% from previous day), according to state data now updated just twice a week on Tuesdays and Fridays. CalMatters is also tracking coronavirus hospitalizations by county.
California has administered 78,156,577 vaccine doses, and 71.5% of eligible Californians are fully vaccinated.
Perhaps nowhere are Californians’ concerns over crime and homelessness — and disagreements over the best way to handle such issues — clearer than in upcoming elections in Los Angeles and San Francisco. Let’s take a closer look:
While in Washington, D.C., Newsom shared his thoughts on everything from the Gascón recall to UCLA joining the Big 10 in a wide-ranging interview with Fox 11’s Elex Michaelson. Here are some key takeaways:
Some state lawmakers are spending part of their month-long summer recess on international trips funded by special interest groups that lobby them on various issues — but the junkets won’t come to an end when the Legislature returns to Sacramento on Aug. 1. Shortly after business resumes at the state Capitol, lawmakers and select tech lobbyists will descend on a Napa Valley resort and spa for a two-day event dubbed the Technology Policy Summit, Los Angeles Times editorial writer Laurel Rosenhall reported Sunday. Lobbyists can win access by making a donation of at least $10,000 to the event’s sponsor, a foundation affiliated with the California Legislative Technology and Innovation Caucus. Democratic Assemblymember Evan Low of Cupertino, who leads the tech caucus, is under state investigation for having stopped disclosing donations made to the foundation at his request, as Rosenhall reported in a series of 2020 CalMatters investigations into lawmaker-affiliated nonprofits.
The donations may be a small price to pay for lobbyists looking to influence lawmakers’ positions on controversial tech bills facing do-or-die votes in August, the final month of the legislative session. One of the high-profile proposals aims to hold social media companies liable for deploying features they know will addict kids. Although the tech industry has already succeeded in watering it down, a prominent lobbyist told me last week the goal is to stop it entirely. Other contentious bills would strengthen kids’ privacy protections online and tighten regulations for the cryptocurrency market.
CalMatters columnist Dan Walters: Most Californians don’t like the direction the state is heading in. A new project examines potential scenarios for changing its future.
Californians should decide if their cars can spy on them: Residents can weigh in on whether to put privacy and safety before automakers’ profits by commenting on the California Privacy Protection Agency’s draft rules on companies’ use of personal car data, argues Justin Kloczko of Consumer Watchdog.
San Diego Unified will bring back mask mandate Monday for summer school amid high county COVID-19 spread. // San Diego Union-Tribune
Analysis of COVID funding reveals California districts have spent little to address learning loss. // EdSource
Former Capitol staffer who sued state Senate calls for changes to misconduct unit. // Los Angeles Times
Speaker Anthony Rendon is California’s Assembly foodie. // Los Angeles Times
What happened to OpenJustice? State’s criminal justice portal still down after breach of gun data. // San Francisco Chronicle
Conditions in immigration detention centers improving, but still grim, California attorney general says. // Sacramento Bee
San Diego police response times worst they’ve been in more than a decade. // San Diego Union-Tribune
Dozens of criminal cases dropped over crimes and misconduct by East Contra Costa cops, district attorney says. // Mercury News
‘She shouldn’t have lost her life:’ Neighbors, experts question police response to break-in. // San Diego Union-Tribune
Man suspected of plotting a mass shooting at UC Irvine is behind bars again — for now. // Los Angeles Times
S.F. nonprofit director ‘viciously attacked’ outside Fillmore organization. // San Francisco Chronicle
Former NASCAR driver Bobby East killed in stabbing attack at California gas station. // ABC News
Millions in jewels stolen from armored truck in California. // Associated Press
Two men arrested in deadly 7-Eleven shootings in Southern California. // Los Angeles Times
The next battle in California’s housing crisis: Should cities tax empty homes? // San Francisco Chronicle
Fresno and Madera counties’ homeless population increased 15% during pandemic. // Fresno Bee
Showdown nears in Oakland between housing advocates and unions over project under state investigation. // San Francisco Chronicle
With Comic-Con days away, workers say ‘yes’ to possible strike at convention hotel. // San Diego Union-Tribune
71 cities and towns are paying tech workers to abandon Silicon Valley. It’s working. // Wall Street Journal
Yosemite’s giant sequoias were saved by forest thinning. Here’s why some want it stopped. // Sacramento Bee
Why don’t Californians use goats and sheep more often to reduce fire risk? // San Francisco Chronicle
A new gold rush pits money and jobs against California’s environment. // Washington Post
Report: Pilot ‘mobile recycling’ programs aren’t fix for California’s crumbling system. // Daily News
Wastewater recycling provides hedge against drought for California cities. // Los Angeles Times
California’s idle crop land may double as water crisis deepens. // Bloomberg
Endangered salmon will swim in California river for first time in 80 years. // Los Angeles Times
Tips, insight or feedback? Email emily@calmatters.org.
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