Californians have consistently invested in new government programs. Over the past quarter century, voters have approved tens of billions of dollars in state bonds to build schools, improve water systems, address climate risks, expand housing opportunities and strengthen public infrastructure. Those investments shape daily life across our state. Yet years after the votes are counted and projects are underway, it can be surprisingly difficult to answer a simple question: Did we get the results we were promised?

Across Santa Clara County, a growing number of staffing operators are exploiting a massive gap in California law.

Why do so few California mayors become governor? San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan was a relatively late entry into the governor’s race but was widely expected to shake things up. The business-friendly, centrist (for California) Democrat reduced street homelessness in his city and tapped into the state’s post-pandemic retreat from criminal justice reforms. Tech billionaires like Sergey Brin and Steven Huffman, and more conventional billionaires like Rick Caruso, gave lavishly to committees backing him.

The June 4 totals, with an estimated 60% of the ballot counted, offered no mathematical or statistical reason to believe that third-place candidate Tom Steyer will be on the November runoff ballot.

Wednesday morning it seemed very likely that Hilton would be Becerra’s November rival, and just as likely that the former congressman, attorney general and Biden administration cabinet member would succeed Gov. Gavin Newsom.

Billionaires, Big Oil and other interests spent big to influence the California governor’s race. Here are five key takeaways: Outside money shatters records. Mahan fizzles out. Steyer personal spending breaks records. Swalwell donors flock to Becerra. Republican Steve Hilton has the most donors.

California is spending billions on homelessness prevention without the governance infrastructure to know whether it is working.

The statewide debate was more rough-and-tumble than last Wednesday’s event in San Francisco, but again, no governor candidate broke away from the scrum, and the playing field just got muddier.

Scorecards for the two Republican and four Democratic candidates each showed a few strikes, some hits, but no home runs.

President Donald Trump endorsed Republican Steve Hilton, a former Fox News commentator, over Chad Bianco, the Riverside County sheriff, reducing the likelihood of a 1-2 GOP outcome in California's June 2 gubernatorial primary.

SJUSD leadership insisted enrollment numbers require school closures, yet they actively avoided increasing enrollment.

Attorney General Rob Bonta’s new regulations will severely restrict California cardrooms’ ability to operate their most popular table games, including by outright prohibiting them from offering modified blackjack-style and other games.

In January 2027, independent medical investigations in California will be required for all deaths in custody — including those in county jails and state prisons, as well as deaths that occur during arrests.

The California Department of Finance and the Legislative Analyst Office say the governor and the Legislature have created a multibillion-dollar “structural deficit,” meaning that revenues cannot cover spending.

East San Jose has historically lacked the level of economic investment it deserves, which is the motivation behind my proposal for a $30 million revitalization fund dedicated to this part of the city.

If Gov. Gavin Newsom's projected $42.3 billion revenue increase is real, he can conclude his governorship with the state’s finances no longer plagued by deficits.