Sacramento budget battle
Editor’s note: In first major disagreement, new City Council progressives get outvoted on spending priorities It came as little surprise that the first big fight…
Read MoreMeasure U
Build back better
Editor’s note: Sacramento refocuses on creating a more inclusive economy, post COVID, but the plan has a curious gap Sacramento’s effort to build a fairer…
Don’t be fooled on Measure A
Essay: “Strong mayor” plan makes false promises on accountability and equity and will reduce people power By Jeff Harris and Katie Valenzuela We have a…
The people’s budget
Editor’s note: Sacramento activists aren’t waiting for a city charter change to have more say on how tax dollars are spent It’s one of the…
‘Strong mayor’ gets on the ballot
Editor’s note: Battle lines are drawn as Steinberg takes a political gamble Sacramento’s latest “strong mayor” plan is headed for the Nov. 3 ballot, but…
A close and complicated call
Editor’s note: Steinberg has work to do to get his “strong mayor” plan on the November ballot After the Sacramento City Council discussed the latest…
The loudest voice
Editor’s note: Sacramento council members are told the police can’t be fixed, so must be defunded If Sacramento City Council members listen only to the…
Under pressure
Editor’s note: Sacramento’s mayor offered police reforms. Many Black leaders are demanding more. With no meeting this week, the City Council won’t debate police reform…
No More Broken Promises
Federal stimulus funds must be used to immediately address the suffering among the city’s most vulnerable communities Note: The following does not reflect the opinion…
A pandemic budget
Businesses are closed. Sales taxes are plummeting. But Sacramento officials don’t plan service cuts. It’s budget season at Sacramento City Hall, and in normal times…
Editor’s note: Smart money
Wanted: Great ideas for economic justice Proposals are rolling into a committee of experts advising the city of Sacramento on which ideas will best improve…
Essay: A second chance
Sacramento should use Measure U money to clear criminal records By Nia MooreWeathers During the Measure U campaign to increase the sales tax and in…
Editor’s note: The 99 percent
Sacramento citizens panel pushes for economic justice After watching the first three meetings of the citizens committee that will suggest how best to spend Sacramento’s…
Editor’s note: Does our strong mayor want more power?
Mayor Darrell Steinberg just pulled off a huge triumph on the city budget and Measure U money. It’s only the most recent time he has…
Essay: The mayor’s plan for Measure U money is too risky
By Jeff Harris The original Measure U, a half-cent increase in our sales tax rate, was passed in 2012 with the promise that it would…
Editor’s note: Pension politics
This month comes a yearly ritual: the Sacramento City Council holds budget hearings and a parade of interest groups seek more money—the arts, fire, parks,…