David Lightman

Washington, D.C.

Correspondent and Reporter at McClatchy Newspapers

National political correspondent and veteran congressional reporter for McClatchy Newspapers

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Articles

Child tax credits: California’s winners and losers in new GOP congressional plan

1 day ago | sacbee.com | David Lightman

Reality Check is a Bee series holding officials and organizations accountable and shining a light on their decisions. Have a tip? Email [email protected]. The good news for millions of California parents is that the federal tax credit for children would jump to $2,500 under the new tax bill house Republicans plan to start writing Tuesday.
Central Valley congressman was the only Democrat to back a GOP oil and gas bill

5 days ago | sacbee.com | David Lightman

Rep. Adam Gray pleaded with his colleagues for bipartisanship as they considered a measure dealing with energy policy. The Merced Democrat then practiced what he promoted, but he was alone. When the House Natural Resources Committee approved its energy measure–full of provisions encouraging oil and gas drilling in this country–all Republicans voted yes. So did Gray, while all other Democrats voted no. Gray explained his vote for the bill.
California Republicans vote for Gulf of America name. Democrats are a gulf apart

6 days ago | sacbee.com | David Lightman

All nine of California’s Republicans voted Thursday to rename the Gulf of Mexico the Gulf of America. All of the state’s Democrats voted no. The House voted for the renaming by a 211 to 206 majority. Rep. Kevin Kiley, R-Roseville, explained why he backed the plan, which would write into law the renaming plan proposed by President Donald Trump on his first day in office. “The Gulf of America is a critical region to our country’s economy.
Teachers group calls on CalSTRS to ‘divest from genocide’ in Gaza

6 days ago | sacbee.com | Lia Russell |David Lightman |Jenavieve Hatch

Good morning and welcome to the A.M. Alert!CALIFORNIA SCHOOL TEACHERS CALL FOR CALSTRS DIVESTMENT Teachers from across the state rallied outside the CalSTRS Headquarters in West Sacramento Wednesday morning to demand that the public educator pension fund divest from corporations that they say are enabling tens of thousands of deaths in Gaza.
The Fed held the line on interest rates. What does that mean for Californians?

1 week ago | sacbee.com | David Lightman

Californians shouldn’t expect much change anytime soon in interest rates for homes or cars. The Federal Reserve left its key rates unchanged Wednesday amid all the uncertainty over the path of the American economy. Its target rate will remain between 4.25% and 4.5%. It’s the rate banks assess to lend money to each other overnight and has a major influence on consumer interest. For Californians, that means more waiting to see if rates fall.
Trump’s California approval ratings at historic lows, new poll finds

1 week ago | sacbee.com | David Lightman

President Donald Trump’s approval rating in California is at “historically low levels,” a new Berkeley IGS poll released Tuesday found. Thirty percent of voters surveyed said they approved of the president’s performance during his first 100-odd days in office, while 68% disapproved. The latest finding in the April 21-28 poll of registered voters was well below the 39% approval Trump logged in March 2017, a similar point of his first term.
Trump education department is getting tough on late student loan payments

1 week ago | bellinghamherald.com | David Lightman

In the Spotlight is a Sacramento Bee series that digs into the high-profile local issues that readers care most about. Story idea? Email [email protected]. WashingtonIn the Spotlight is a Sacramento Bee series that digs into the high-profile local issues that readers care most about. Story idea? Email [email protected]. The federal Department of Education is cracking down on student loan debt, announcing this week it will resume collecting defaulted federal student loan payments starting May 5.
California Democrats, Republicans clash over who’s harsher on sex offenders

1 week ago | sacbee.com | David Lightman |Kate Wolffe

Reality Check is a Bee series holding officials and organizations accountable and shining a light on their decisions. Have a tip? Email [email protected].
Trump wants tax deduction for interest on loans to buy US-made cars. Can it happen?

1 week ago | sacbee.com | David Lightman

If you buy a car that was made in this country, President Donald Trump wants you to be able to deduct the interest. The White House hasn’t provided any details of how the tax break would work, but Trump touted it during the 2024 campaign and reiterated his support last month. It’s one of several potential tax breaks House Republicans are considering as they begin what’s expected to be a lengthy, tense process. of approving budget and tax legislation.
California Republicans secured funding for local projects. Where did it go?

1 week ago | sacbee.com | David Lightman |Stephen Hobbs

Reality Check is a Bee series holding officials and organizations accountable and shining a light on their decisions. Have a tip? Email [email protected]. Jon Barrett stood near a pile of tree trunks about 20 feet high on Tuesday, hoping it would be cleared soon. The Resource Conservation District of Tehama County, which Barrett manages, had applied for federal funding to do that after firefighters left the logs there while trying to stop a major blaze in 2021.