Listed here are a few of the most-read California political tales of 2022.
The yr is almost performed, and 2022 introduced with it many massive political information tales.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom made headlines as pundits weighed in on his presidential prospects, lawmakers debated and handed some controversial payments and, oh yeah, there have been additionally two elections.
Now, as 2022 involves a detailed, here’s a look again at a few of the tales that had the best reader curiosity.
Election central
With California enjoying a key function in figuring out which get together would management Congress, The Bee saved you apprised of the most recent breaking developments, similar to when Rep. Josh More durable, D-Tracy, gained reelection in one of many nation’s most intently watched races, or the stunning back-and-forth that occurred within the Central Valley congressional race between Democrat Adam Grey and Republican John Duarte.
Sen. Alex Padilla, who was appointed by Newsom to exchange Vice President Kamala Harris in 2021, might have appeared like a foregone conclusion to win a full time period of workplace, however that didn’t cease readers from desirous to know what their choices have been, together with a socialist, a billionaire and a podiatrist.
And what’s a California election with out some hotly contested poll measures? The 2022 midterm election didn’t disappoint, with two propositions specifically — Proposition 26, to legalize sports activities betting at tribal casinos, and Proposition 27, to legalize on-line sports activities betting — being the topic of heavy political spending.
Likelihood is, you obtained various doubtful mailers making guarantees about these propositions. The Bee was there to assist readers kind by the spin.
Even after the elections have been concluded, the political drama continued, as 4 newly elected or reelected GOP Hispanic lawmakers have been excluded from the all-Democrat California Latino Legislative Caucus.
Politicians within the highlight
Newsom was no stranger to information headlines in 2022, however certainly one of The Bee’s most generally learn tales was really an AM Alert e-newsletter merchandise reporting the governor’s journey to the nation’s capital, the place he indulged in certainly one of his favourite pastimes: Taking political jabs on the governors of Florida and Texas.
“What the hell’s happening on this nation?” Newsom demanded to know, in response to tales about Texas e-book bannings and Florida’s so-called “Don’t say homosexual” regulation.
In the meantime, again in California, Newsom has promised that the state would return land to Native American tribes. The Bee examined his progress.
Newsom wasn’t the one political determine within the highlight this yr, although.
Former Republican California Rep. Devin Nunes, who left Congress to helm former President Donald Trump’s social media community Reality Social, had his personal justifiable share of headlines.
Readers avidly adopted the progress of Nunes’ many lawsuits, together with a narrative about how judges dominated the previous congressman couldn’t sue CNN, and one other story the place he suffered a authorized setback.
One California politician who might need most popular to stay exterior the highlight was State Sen. Bob Hertzberg, who has been accused of giving out undesirable hugs. Although these allegations are years outdated, they resurfaced in 2022 amid Hertzberg’s Los Angeles County supervisor marketing campaign as a number of Democratic ladies referred to as him out for his conduct.
The payments you adopted
California lawmakers deliberated over 1000’s of payments over the course of the 2021-22 legislative session, however a few of these payments stood out amongst readers.
There was the invoice to grant individuals authorized safety from prosecution within the occasion of a being pregnant loss, which detractors falsely claimed would legalize infanticide.
Readers flocked to tales about lawmakers passing legal guidelines to broaden Medi-Cal to all undocumented residents and likewise give them one other option to get a California state ID.
One other high-traffic story was The Bee’s protection of a brand new regulation that grants ex-offenders who keep out of bother the flexibility to seal their prison report.
A California regulation geared toward empowering employees within the quick meals business met with stiff resistance from restaurant franchise house owners who say it’ll threaten their companies, and readers avidly adopted their efforts to dam it.
And every part else
Bee readers need their cash, and when California introduced that inflation aid checks have been on the best way, The Bee was there to let you know when you can anticipate yours.
And when a pupil mortgage supplier worn out $1.7 billion in debt, readers have been .
Many readers puzzled why, after passing a poll measure to finish the apply of fixing the clocks for Daylight Saving Time, we nonetheless needed to set our clocks again this November. The Bee had an evidence.
It’s secure to say many Bee readers have been when the California Division of Motor Automobiles introduced that individuals can now take the driving force’s information check on-line.
Readers have been eager on tales depicting California’s local weather emergency.
They commiserated with individuals like Esther Johnson, who needed to freeze pots of water in a single day to supply some cooling inside her sweltering condo throughout final summer time’s crippling warmth wave. Johnson is certainly one of 1 / 4 of Californians to stay in a house with no air-con.
And readers responded to the surprising information that drought and wildfires have worn out a 3rd of Sierra Nevada forests.
This story was initially printed December 28, 2022 7:00 AM.
Andrew Sheeler covers California’s distinctive political local weather for The Sacramento Bee. He has lined crime and politics from inside Alaska to North Dakota’s oil patch to the rugged coast of southern Oregon. He attended the College of Alaska Fairbanks.