CalMatters
CALmatters is a nonpartisan, nonprofit journalism venture committed to explaining how California’s state Capitol works and why it matters. Environmental regulation, education, health care, criminal justice, economic inequality – the debates on these issues and others have a profound impact on the lives of 38 million Californians and beyond. Yet, mirroring trends across the country, there has been a significant decline in the number of journalists covering the Capitol in Sacramento. This has meant fewer eyes on decision makers, and a public that feels disconnected from its state government. Our team of experienced journalists, with the time and resources to dig deep, is committed to meaningfully informing Californians about the players, politics, and interests that shape the issues that affect their lives. Over the coming months, CALmatters will be working to unwrap key issues, while experimenting with the forms our stories take. To ensure we reach many Californians, we work with media organizations throughout the state that have long, deep relationships with their local audiences.
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Whither Dianne Feinstein?
Feinstein, a fixture of California politics for more than a half-century and a U.S. senator for three decades, recently returned to the Capitol after a weeks-long battle with shingles, a very debilitating disease.
One might have thought that her return, after much carping from those on the Democratic Party’s left wing about her absence, would quiet those who wanted her to resign.
However, the critics didn’t miss a beat. They could no longer complain that she was AWOL and thus inhibiting the party’s ability to advance an agenda in the closely divided Senate. But they continued the drumbeat, citing the obvious fact that age (she’s 89) and the lingering effects of shingles have worsened the decline of her cognitive abilities.
Feinstein’s impairment has virtually no effect on the Senate’s operations. As long as she is alive and can an answer the roll call, President Joe Biden and Majority Leader Chuck Schumer can do whatever they would be able to do with any other Democrat occupying one of California’s Senate seats.