Joe Garcia

Dec 20, 2024 | calmatters.org | Joe Garcia

Top California Democrats are pressuring Kaiser to make a deal with the union representing Southern California therapists, while patients say they’re just holding on. Welcome to CalMatters, the only nonprofit newsroom devoted solely to covering issues that affect all Californians. Sign up for WhatMatters to receive the latest news and commentary on the most important issues in the Golden State.

Nov 27, 2024 | pasadenanow.com | Lynn La |Cayla Mihalovich |Joe Garcia

Why do California voters keep electing progressive prosecutors and keep voting them out of office? That’s the question some criminal justice advocates are asking themselves after the defeats of two progressive district attorneys — Pamela Price in Alameda County and George Gascón in Los Angeles County — this month, California local news fellows Cayla Mihalovich and Joe Garcia report.

Nov 13, 2024 | mtdemocrat.com | Nigel Duara |Joe Garcia

From their phones and their television screens and sometimes out their windows, Californians saw their state change quickly in the pandemic. Homelessness grew then and continued to grow. Fatal fentanyl overdoses soared. Brash daytime smash-and-grab robberies floated from TikTok to nightly newscasts. A constellation of law enforcement, prosecutors and big-box retailers insisted the cause was simple: Punishment wasn’t harsh enough.

Nov 6, 2024 | calmatters.org | Nigel Duara |Joe Garcia

Californians overwhelmingly backed Prop. 36 to lengthen criminal sentences for certain theft and drug offenses, and to direct more people to drug treatment after convictions. Voters’ views changed on public safety after the COVID-19 pandemic. Welcome to CalMatters, the only nonprofit newsroom devoted solely to covering issues that affect all Californians.

Nov 6, 2024 | laist.com | Nigel Duara |Joe Garcia

Topline: Californians overwhelmingly backed Prop. 36 to lengthen criminal sentences for certain theft and drug offenses, and to direct more people to drug treatment after convictions. Voters’ views changed on public safety after the COVID-19 pandemic. Why now: Proposition 36 passed overwhelmingly Tuesday night. It led 70% to 30% early Wednesday. What it does: Prop.