What happens in Sacramento and why should you care?
At $2.2 trillion, California’s economy is the eighth largest in the world. Yet how often do you hear about decisions made by Palo Alto’s representatives in the State Assembly or Senate? Do you even know who they are? (spoiler alert: Senator Jerry Hill and Representative Rich Gordon).
If you are unaware of what’s going on Sacramento, you are not alone. The number of full-time statehouse reporters at U.S. newspapers has declined by 35 percent between 2003 and 2014 according a study by the Pew Research Center, and the result is a dearth of information about decisions made by our state legislators.
Enter CALmatters: a frustrated Palo Altan takes action
That’s why a new nonprofit journalism venture called CALmatters, born in Palo Alto and based in Sacramento, is so important.
Co-founded by Palo Alto resident Simone Coxe, a former public relations executive and a board member for KQED and Internews, CALmatters aims to address the lack of transparency about decisions being made in Sacramento by “explaining how California’s state Capitol works and why it matters.”
CALmatters co-founder and Board Chair Simone Coxe is a long-time resident of Palo Alto. Photo courtesy of Simone Coxe.
Simone was spurred to create CALmatters after reaching a point of frustration about how difficult it is for citizens to hold Sacramento politicians accountable for their decisions.
“Given the size of California’s economy and our role as a national leader on so many issues, it’s essential that voters know how money, politics and people are influencing the direction of key issues facing the State,” Simone said. “With my background in media and information, I wanted to help people learn what goes on in our capitol so they can take responsibility as citizens.”
Recruiting a seasoned team of Sacramento reporters
The other co-founders of CALmatters bring a wide range of media expertise, including President Kaizar Campwala, who serves on the board of Northern California Society of Professional Journalists. CALmatters has also recruited Greg Favre, a former executive editor of the Sacramento Bee, to lead a team of journalists with years of statehouse experience.
Greg Favre, editor of CALmatters. Photo by CALmatters.
Spreading high quality stories through media partnerships
CALmatters provides nonpartisan, thoroughly researched articles that focus on on key topics being debated in Sacramento such as education, health care and environmental policy. The organization then partners with newspapers and media outlets to disseminate its content.
Climate change was the first issue that CALmatters tackled, and its stories were picked up by KQED’s California Report and other media outlets around the state.
Nonprofits fill the void left by disappearing newspapers
Alternative media organizations such as CALmatters are needed to make up for the loss of statehouse coverage by traditional newspapers, said Jim Bettinger, Director of the John S. Knight Fellowships for Professional Journalists at Stanford University.
“Term limits have shifted the balance of power in Sacramento from elected officials to lobbyists, interest groups and state bureaucracies.” said Mr. Bettinger. “CALmatters looks to offset this dynamic by allowing for more robust coverage of the decisions made in Sacramento, which have implications for the whole country due to California’s rising influence on the national level.”
CALmatters has strong support in Palo Alto
As a nonprofit organization, CALmatters relies on donations, and it has successfully raised half of the $5 million it needs for the first three years.
A number of Palo Alto residents have been instrumental in supporting CALmatters, including Diana Walsh and Kent Walker.
“I am delighted to see an organization investing in reporting and working with newspapers, given the general decline of the industry,” said Diana, a former reporter for the San Francisco Chronicle. “Experimenting with business models, partnerships and innovative content is going to shape the future of media. I’m glad to support CALmatters and be along for the ride.”
What goes on in California State Assembly? CALmatters wants you to know. AP photo by Rich Pedroncelli.
CALmatters also just announced a $250,000 grant from the Knight Foundation. In a press release, Knight Foundation journalism director Shazna Nessa expressed support for the organization, saying, “CALmatters is looking to fill a gap in the quality and quantity of news by using data-driven reporting and analysis about California state government to keep up with the demands of the digital age.”
While fundraising is never easy, CALmatters can look to other nonprofit news services such as Pro Publica and the Marshall Project as models for how plan for sustainability over time.
Palo Alto is an “incubator” for journalistic innovation
“It makes sense that CALmatters would have success fundraising in Palo Alto because this community has been an incubator for different kinds of journalism during the past 35 years,” said Jim Bettinger of Stanford. “From the Palo Alto Times, which combined with the Redwood City Tribune to create the Peninsula Times Tribune, Palo Alto is a fertile ground for newspapers and media because of its educated, engaged population.”
CALmatters has raised the initial funds it needs to get off the ground, but is still actively soliciting local support for its effort to explain to Californians how Sacramento works and why it matters. To learn more about CALmatters or make a donation, visit their website or contact CALmatters.
Journalism, in general, in the U.S., is at an all time low. Particularly when it comes to covering politics and public policy. They cover inconsequential politicians, who they know bring useless rhetoric rather than sound ideas, making the complete coverage a waste of a read. There are no details, and there are only 2 opinions, for example, Obamacare is great, or, Obamacare is bad, again, with no explanations as to why. I even question if they know it is actually called the Afordable Care Act.
I sincerely hope you will bring about transparency with details, opinions, how it affects people and who is thinking about the people and driving good policy.
Good luck!!