The Bay

Scott Wiener and Connie Chan Fight to Represent SF in Congress

For decades, Nancy Pelosi has represented San Francisco in Congress. Now she’s retiring, making way for a truly competitive race for California’s 11th Congressional Distr

Can SF’s Empty Offices Be Housing?

After hollowing out during the pandemic, San Francisco’s office vacancy rate is hovering at around 30%. Pair that volume of empty space with an escalating housing crisis,

BOUNCE: How The Bay Shaped Golden State Valkyries’ Gabby Williams

As the Golden State Valkyries prepare for Game 4 of the WNBA finals Saturday, KALW’s BOUNCE introduces us to the team’s star player, Gabby Williams. From her roots in Oak

The Federal Corruption Trial Against Former Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao

The federal corruption trial against former Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao kicked off this month. Thao and her three codefendants — Andre Jones, David Doung, and Andy Doung — a

One Key To California's Climate Goals? How We Cook

The vast majority of commercial kitchens in California — some 85% — rely on gas to power their appliances. But scientists say that will have to change if the state hopes

Why Angel Island Needs Fire

In September, prescribed burns on Angel Island sent smoke and at-times dangerous air quality to residents around the Bay Area. While Air District officials want to improv

School Districts Are Housing Teachers. Could It Help?

Just last month, San Mateo County announced that they’d bought an apartment building to house teachers and school staff. It is just one recent example of local school dis

Millions for What? Inside California’s Secretive Earmark Process

What do martial artists, mime performers, and a farmers market have in common? They all received millions of dollars from the state budget this past summer. The money was

Prop 45: Faster Environmental Reviews for Certain Projects

The California Environmental Quality Act, or CEQA, requires state and local agencies to consider the environmental impact of public and private projects. Prop 45 would ch

Prop 44: Health Clinic Spending Requirements

There are about 2,000 community clinics providing health care in California, serving low-income and underinsured patients and funded partially by our tax dollars. But on

Prop 43: Local Tax Voter Threshold

Right now in California, if citizens put a tax measure on the ballot for local government services, it requires a simple majority — 50% plus 1 — to pass. Prop 43 would r

Prop 42: Bans New Taxes on Financial Assets

Prop 42 is another ballot measure designed to compete with Prop 40, the billionaire wealth tax. If passed, California would ban new taxes on financial assets like retirem

Prop 41: Require Audits of New Special Taxes

As happens so often in California, there are initiatives on your ballot that are competing with other initiatives on your ballot. Prop 41, which would require audits of n

Prop 40: One-Time Wealth Tax on Billionaires

Proposition 40 is a one-time 5% wealth tax on California's billionaires. If passed, 90% of the revenue would go to healthcare, while the other 10% would help fund public

Prop 39: Requires Voters Show ID to Cast A Ballot

In California, you have to show identification when you register to vote, but not when you cast your ballot. Prop 39, which is supported by California Republicans and o

Prop 38: Immunology Research Bond

Immunotherapy is individualized treatment designed to harness a patients’ immune system to fight disease. Vaccines are considered part of immunology, but it also includes

Prop 37: Creates Middle-Income Homebuying Program

It's pretty standard to pay a 20% down payment in order to buy a house. But in California, where the median price of a single-family home is $980,000, that's a tall order

Prop 5: Statewide Recall Reform

In 2021, California voters were asked whether or not to recall Gov. Gavin Newsom from office. But there was also a second question on the ballot: Who should replace the g

Prop 4: Allows Public Financing for Political Campaigns

If you want to get elected in this state, it's no secret that you'll need to raise money — in some cases, a lot of money. This could put candidates who don't come from we

Prop 3: Taxes on High-Income Earners

California has a progressive income tax system: the more you make, the more you pay in taxes. For years, voters have approved certain tax rates for high-income earners.