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The Vatican and Jerry Brown

Gov. Jerry Brown is at the Vatican this week, where he will join Pope Francis and leaders around the globe for a climate-change conference. The gathering weaves together threads throughout the governor’s...

California Influencers Index: Vaccines, water dominate spring media chatter

OK, it’s been a while since we did this, but it’s about time for a check in with the California Influencers Index. The index, powered by software from Zignal Labs, tracks all Twitter mentions and activity...

As UC tuition increases, so does university administration

Rising university tuition costs have been a hot topic in California, where Gov. Jerry Brown and state lawmakers have tangled with UC executives over budgets, spending and state investment levels in higher...

Will California become a victim of its own success?

Seen through a certain lens, California is little more than a collection of calamities and recoveries. The hills here burn and the earth shakes. Today, we find ourselves in the midst of a drought of biblical...

The new politics of the California almond

The last several years have been heady ones for the California almond. Bolstered by increased domestic and international demand, as well as positive marketing about the nut’s nutritional benefits, almonds...

Podcast: Rally round the flag

This week, KQED’s John Myers, Marissa Lagos and I talk about the American flag, the slower growth of California and the dangers of good budget times.

California a majority Latino state? Not so fast…

California is no longer on track to become a majority Latino state – at least not before 2060, according to projections from the state Department of Finance. Demographic estimates are constantly...

Are soaring pension and administration costs at heart of UC budget fight?

This week, the University of California announced it would cap enrollment for in-state students at some campuses. In the wake of this escalation of the game of budget chicken between U.C. President Janet...

To understand California, we need new stories — and better data

Note: On Wednesday, I will be moderating a panel at the California Budget Project’s annual Policy Insights conference, featuring Zocolo’s Joe Matthews, USC Professor Manuel Pastor and Sen....

The GBP Interview: Kevin De León

Kevin De León is the poster child for on-the-job training. He was elected to the Assembly in 2006 as the product of a political deal, anointed by his childhood friend, then-Speaker Fabian Nuñez as the speaker...