April 3, 2017

A rainy winter caused severe damage to roads and highways throughout California. Photo by Ben Christopher / CALmatters

Economy

Rains cause severe road damage as legislature approves costly repair plan

The legislature’s approval Thursday of a $52 billion road repair plan couldn’t come too soon for rain-battered streets and highways that have already suffered severe damage this year. Since the beginning of the year, California’s state highway system has been buffeted with more than 400 sinkholes, downed trees, and mudslides. Caltrans puts the price tag […]

By Ben Christopher • April 3, 2017

Gov. Jerry Brown, flanked by Democratic legislative leaders and construction workers, announces $52 billion plan to repair state roads. Photo by Laurel Rosenhall, CALmatters

Politics

In California, it’s Democrats struggling to keep party unity

California Democrats are expected to face a key test of their unity this week, with Gov. Jerry Brown leaning on state lawmakers to pass a landmark tax increase to fix what he calls a massive backlog of repairs to the state’s rutted roads and weakened bridges. The $52 billion plan will only pass if two-thirds […]

By Laurel Rosenhall • April 3, 2017