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I’m CalMatters reporter Ryan Sabalow, and today I’m happy to have Lynn.
End of Day Cesar Chavez, California.
Democratic leaders said Thursday they will fast-track legislation to rename the March 31 holiday “Farmworker Day.”
The move came a day after the New York Times publication bomb investigation into allegations that the once-beloved farmworker union organizer abused or raped several women. One of them is Dolores Huerta, who founded the United Agricultural Workers union with Chávez.
The relegation of the charges continued elsewhere in California as local leaders struggled to figure out how to remove Chavez from the countless streets, monuments and other landmarks and institutions that bear his name.
Read more about how this effort to purge Chavez from California is unfolding here.
Join CalMatters on April 22nd in Pasadena for a conversation on recovery from the devastating wildfires in Los Angeles in January 2025. As communities move from emergency response to long-term recovery, experts will explore how labor shortages are shaping recovery efforts and what it will take to strengthen the flow of skilled trades. From education and training to removing barriers to entry, this discussion will explore how to connect more Californians to stable, well-paying jobs that support recovery and long-term regional sustainability. Register today.
Other stories you should know
Sierra snow melts fast
California may have gotten wet during its short rainy season, but most of that water came in warm storms that didn’t turn into deep snow in the higher elevations. Now it is melting at a rapid pace thanks to the unseasonal heat.
This year’s snowpack ranks among the 10 lightest on record — and is likely to get worse as temperatures rise. From the beginning to the middle of March, the snow cover was are disappearing at a rate of about 1% per day.
That’s bad news for the state’s water supply — and it portends a potentially dangerous wildfire season in our blast summer and early fall.
Read more about the state’s water supply here.
Free luxury gifts to California legislators
Travels abroad. Free spa treatments. Risi resort stay in Hawaii. Fine dining and prime seating at sporting events.
These are just some of the freebies California lawmakers reported receiving last year in mandatory reports they must file with state ethics regulators.
And all of this is perfectly legal under California law, even though it gives legislators unlimited access to powerful groups with money that the average voter would never have.
Lawmakers have long insisted that these freebies are mandatory and do not unduly influence their behavior. But good government watchdog groups say lobbying teams spend millions of dollars on lawmakers’ perks for a reason: It buys them influence.
Learn more here of what legislators reported.
And finally: retirement bonuses
CalMatters Judicial Editor Adam Ashton and Director of Video Strategy Robert Meeks have a new video about how some powerful public safety unions are lobbying for new pension benefits. This is part of our partnership with PBS SoCal. Watch it here. SoCalMatters airs Fridays at 5:58 p.m on PBS SoCal.
California voices
CalMatters columnist Dan Walters: At the very least, it would be interesting to have a Republican elected governor. because, right nowdemocrat candidates are so boring that voters give up.
Allowing government employees to continue to work remotely takes cars off California’s congested roads, reduces fuel consumption and lowers carbon dioxide emissions, Wasim Ali writesstate engineer and member of union negotiating team.
Other things worth your time:
Billionaires have a favorite in the race for governor of California — and it’s not even close // San Francisco Chronicle
After a highly critical reviewFresno State Foundation Shares Reform Plans // Fresno Bee
A receding Colorado River forces farms to change // High Country News
The West probably hasn’t seen the worst from this week’s heat wave // New York Times
SFPD reaches tentative deal with city for a 14% increase over the next four years // NBC Bay Area
California’s proposed billionaire tax wins majority support in a new poll, with a partisan breakdown by voter ID // Los Angeles Times
Fewer people ride the San Diego Trolley. Officials blame unexpected drop on ICE and affordability // San Diego Union Tribune
Bay Area Rep. John Garamendi confirms Travis Air Force Base used by the US in the Iran war // KQED
New transparency ordered for Los Angeles County payouts to executives // LAist
