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Mai Vang files paper work with Federal Election Commission to challenge Doris Matsui for CA Congressional District 7

2025-09-02T21:00:00.000-07:00

Paperwork filed yesterday with the Federal Election Commission shows that Sacramento City Councilmember Mai Vang is running for Congress. The filing states that Ms. Vang is running as a Democratic Candidate for California's Congressional District 7.

Democratic incumbent Doris Matsui currently represents CA District 7 and is expected to seek another term in 2026. Ms. Matsui, who will be 82 next year, has served the Sacramento area in Congress since 2005, when she was elected to the seat previously held by her late husband, Robert Matsui.

Widespread knowledge of Vang's candidacy first appeared last week in an opinion piece by Marco Breton of the Sacramento Bee. An Elk Grove News reader provided us with a tip regarding Ms. Vang's filing (see the document below).

Vang filed a Form 1, which is the Statement of Organization that must be filed with the Federal Election Commission (FEC) when a political committee is created. In simple terms, it's the paperwork that officially registers a campaign committee with the federal government.

For candidates like Vang, it establishes the campaign's legal and financial entity that will raise and spend money.

We have contacted Vang seeking comment and to validate their intentions. As of 9 p.m. today, we have not received a response.

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Elk Grove Leaders Face Renewed Scrutiny by Attorney General Bonta Over $10 Million Fair Housing Settlement

2025-09-02T10:30:00.000-07:00

A year after Elk Grove agreed to pay a staggering $10 million to Long Beach-based Excelerate Housing for violating state fair housing laws, the costly mistake is back in the spotlight, this time in California Attorney General Rob Bonta’s own words.

In his September 1 weekly newsletter, Bonta highlighted the Elk Grove settlement as a case study of how his office is working to protect Californians struggling with the state’s soaring housing costs. Bonta criticized the city’s repeated refusal to approve a 66-unit supportive housing project for low-income residents at risk of homelessness, saying:

“While we are pleased that Elk Grove ultimately approved even more homes for those most in need, the City’s refusal to do the right thing over and over again cannot be swept under the rug. Every city and county in California has a legal obligation to help solve our homelessness crisis; when localities do not comply with their responsibility to build more housing for Californians, California DOJ steps in.”

The rebuke serves as a reminder that Mayor Bobbie Singh-Allen and the Elk Grove City Council's handling of the Oak Rose project, which led directly to the lawsuit and multimillion-dollar settlement. Residents note that city leaders not only wasted public money but also undermined the community’s ability to address the housing crisis for those seeking recovery at a time when residents are already being squeezed by high prices.

Bonta’s newsletter framed the case in stark terms: “From groceries to gas, costs seem to be rising and rising … and rising. California DOJ has your back and is committed to protecting California families grappling with the high cost of living.” By pointing to Elk Grove’s missteps, the Attorney General highlighted how local political decisions can result in higher taxpayer costs and fewer housing opportunities.

The settlement, the largest of its kind for Elk Grove and quite possibly in the state, came after Singh-Allen and the council blocked Excelerate Housing’s proposal, despite clear obligations under state law to accommodate affordable housing. The city’s reversal came only after the lawsuit and pressure from the Attorney General’s office, but not before incurring a $10 million penalty that will be borne by Elk Grove taxpayers.

The responsibility does not end with the mayor and council. City Attorney Jonathan Hobbs signed off on the strategy, providing legal interpretations that were so flawed they collapsed at the first test in court. His “advice” directly contributed to the violation of state housing mandates and cost taxpayers dearly. A competent city attorney should have steered elected officials away from this self-inflicted disaster.

For many residents, the episode has become a symbol of poor and costly leadership at City Hall. Rather than proactively addressing the housing crisis, Elk Grove’s top officials — led by Singh-Allen — fought the very kind of project that state leaders say is essential to solving homelessness.

Now, with Bonta placing the city’s failure back in the public eye via his weekly newsletter, questions remain if Elk Grove’s leadership has learned from the debacle, or whether taxpayers will be left to foot the bill again for decisions that flout state law and prolong the region’s housing challenges.

Cosumnes CSD Report Says Investments Can Cover Six Months of Operations

2025-09-02T00:00:00.000-07:00

The Cosumnes Community Services District Board of Directors will hear on Wednesday that its investment portfolio remains strong enough to cover about six months of operating costs, according to a quarterly report.

The District Treasurer’s Quarterly Investment Report, scheduled for discussion at the Sept. 3 meeting, outlines how more than $43 million is managed by PFM Asset Management, with additional funds held in state and local investment pools, certificates of deposit, and money market accounts. Combined, the portfolio generated more than $2 million in earnings as of June 30, according to the report.

The analysis notes that 37.7 percent of the district’s funds are invested in U.S. Treasuries, with the rest spread across corporate notes, asset-backed securities, municipal obligations, and insured deposits. The largest single balance — more than $77 million — is invested in the California Cooperative Liquid Assets Securities System (CA CLASS), which yielded over $1.3 million in the most recent quarter.

The report highlights that the district’s liquid cash balance, including CA CLASS, LAIF, money market accounts, and CDs, is “sufficient to cover six months of expenditures.” Any potential shortfalls, staff said, would be addressed through cash flow management and reserve allocations.

Finance Director Nou Vang and Accounting Manager Nou Her prepared the analysis for District Treasurer and Administrator of General Services Amanda Chehrezad. The board will receive and file the report at the meeting on Wednesday.

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Elk Grove Week at a Glance - Week of September 1

2025-09-01T10:35:00.000-07:00

09/01 City Hall Closed for Labor Day
09/02 Polynesian Dance & Crafts Classes Start
09/04 Pitch Elk Grove (4:30 p.m.)
09/05 Diversity Dining Week: September 5-14
09/05 Fridays in the Grove: Silent Disco (5 p.m.)
09/06 Diversity Month: Pork Tamale Making Class (10 a.m.)
09/06 Community Meeting: Future Homeless Shelter (1 p.m.)
09/06 First Saturday Art Reception (4 p.m.)
09/07 Diversity Month: Metalachi Madness Concert (5 p.m.)

Even if Mai Vang were to fail in challenging Doris Matsui, she could still be the winner

2025-09-01T00:30:00.000-07:00

Over the past few days, a minor political dust-up has arisen within the Sacramento Area Democratic Party. It started with a commentary by Sacramento Bee's editor and columnist Marco Breton, who discussed a possible challenge to long-time Democratic Congresswoman Doris Matsui.

Breton reported on a possible challenge by progressive Democrat and Sacramento City Council member Mai Vang. The second-term council member is reportedly considering a primary challenge to Matsui, who has held the seat since 2005.

While Matsui is firmly ensconced in the Sacramento and the Washington, DC Democratic establishment, Vang is, by Breton's account, a progressive willing to buck local party tradition. That tradition, which is common within both parties, is to wait your turn and observe the so-called Reagan 11th Commandment.

That rule says you should never speak ill of a fellow party member. Although the rule, which first surfaced in 1966, was self-serving for Reagan, it was orthodoxy for both major American political parties.

Should Vang challenge the long-serving Matsui in the June 2026 primary, she will have leapfrogged several Democratic elected officials waiting in the wings to run for the seat once Matsui bows out of her safe seat. Among those looking in the mirror every morning, thinking they could replace Matsui are Elk Grove Mayor Bobbie Singh-Allen, Sacramento Mayor Kevin McCarty, Sacramento County Supervisors Patrick Kennedy and Phil Serna, State Senator Angelique Ashby, and a long list of others seeking higher office.

While Vang faces long odds given Matsui's money-raising abilities, even if she loses in a primary or the general election, she can establish name identity and a political machine for future races. If Matsui voluntarily leaves office (she will be 82 for the 2026 general election, slightly older than our medically-challenged president), there will be a rush to fill the seat.

Of course, if Proposition 50 succeeds, the redrawn congressional districts will reshuffle the deck of political players, which could include viable Republican candidates. Nonetheless, a Vang challenge is still possible.

Vang could draw many younger liberal and progressive voters who might not otherwise participate if it were Matsui and some other milquetoast candidate on the ballot. Should Vang run, she could face off against Matsui in the 2026 general election.

A Vang challenge of Matsui would not be the first ambitious young politician to challenge a party stalwart. In 2000, a young Illinois state senator challenged an incumbent Chicago Congressman in the Democratic primary, was soundly defeated, but turned that loss into political history.

That state senator was a 38-year-old Barack Obama, who challenged fellow Democrat Congressman Bobby Rush. Even though Obama was trounced, it taught him several lessons, led him to David Axelrod, and put him on a historic trajectory that ultimately placed him in the White House eight years later.

A Vang challenge to Matsui would piss off the Democratic Party regulars as Obama did in 2000. Even if she were to lose, it could put her on a trajectory that could eventually send her to Washington, D.C. to represent Sacramento and Elk Grove constituents.

For Vang and every ambitious politician, timing is everything. Given the dissatisfaction most Democratic voters have with their elected officials' non-response to the Trump administration and their general fecklessness, a message of fight might make the timing right for Vang.

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All Aboard the Hype Train: Elk Grove’s Station Still Stuck in the Roundhouse

2025-08-31T00:30:00.000-07:00

The long-promised Altamont Commuter Express (ACE) rail station in Elk Grove remains in limbo as funding gaps and stalled negotiations with Union Pacific Railroad raise fresh doubts about when construction will actually begin, as revealed by a review of the agenda for the next San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission meeting.

A September report from the San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission shows $3.67 million has been budgeted for the Elk Grove Station and trackwork. Less than half of that, about $1.54 million, has been spent so far. At the same time, a related double-track project in Elk Grove has already blown past its $638,000 budget, with $862,000 in expenditures.

Despite the expenditures, no start date for construction has been set. The project is still considered to be in progress, primarily at the design and early design stages.

Complicating matters, Union Pacific Railroad has yet to sign off on access to its heavily used freight corridors. In May, the rail commission’s Station/Facilities Development Committee went behind closed doors with Union Pacific to negotiate trackage rights along the Sacramento and Fresno subdivisions, including through Elk Grove.

Only “directions to staff” were reported after the closed-door meeting, signaling talks remain unresolved. Sacramento County District 5 Supervisor Pat Hume also confirmed this in a recent constituent newsletter.

For Elk Grove residents, the lack of movement is not surprising. City officials routinely tout the future station without providing realistic timetables, as seen in the TV infotainment interview of Elk Grove Mayor Bobbie Singh-Allen and City Manager Jason Behrmann. The state-backed project remains mired between growing budgetary constraints and corporate negotiations.

City leaders keep selling the ACE rail stop as a done deal. But the reality?

Overruns, missing millions, and Union Pacific negotiations going nowhere fast. The only thing moving right now is the spin from Elk Grove Mayor Bobbie Singh-Allen and City Hall.

The next meeting of the San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission is Friday, September 5.
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Elk Grove News Minute - The Ultimate Elk Grove Dog and Pony Show!

2025-08-30T00:30:00.000-07:00

This week, Elk Grove Economic Development Director Darrell Doan, or as he is called by friends, Bojangles, will host the annual game show called Pitch Elk Grove.

Listen Time 1 Minute

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39-Year-old Sacramento Man Struck, Killed While on Bicycle in Elk Grove

2025-08-29T11:35:00.000-07:00

A 39-year-old Sacramento man was killed early Friday after being struck by a car while sitting on his bicycle in the roadway, Elk Grove Police said.

Officers responded about 2:33 a.m. to Calvine Road between Bader and Bradshaw roads, where they found the bicyclist dead at the scene, according to police.

Investigators said the man was hit by a white Toyota traveling east on Calvine Road. The driver stopped nearby and remained at the scene, cooperating with officers.

Police said the driver showed no signs of impairment, and detectives do not believe speed was a factor in the crash.

The Sacramento County Coroner’s Office will release the name of the victim after identification.

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The Elk Grove City Council is ripping off taxpayers by neglecting their agreed upon duties as elected officials

2025-08-28T10:50:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was the fourth Wednesday of the month, and as such, the Elk Grove City Council should have convened one of its prearranged 21 regular meetings. Except for the second meeting of November and December and the first meeting of July, the Elk Grove City Council is scheduled to meet on the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month.

Last night, however, the meeting was cancelled. It was not a last-minute cancellation either.

It was a planned cancellation that was announced during the August 13 meeting. The reason given was that the city council knew they would not have a quorum.

Put another way, three of the five city council members decided to skip the meeting. Instead of being transparent, they did not reveal why three of them decided to skip this meeting.

Were they all going on a junket, or perhaps they wanted to start the Labor Day holiday sooner? We can say with certainty that it was not an emergency because, by definition, most emergencies are unanticipated events.

Usually, it wouldn't be a big deal. However, earlier this year, four of the five city council members complained that they were overworked and underpaid. They used this excuse to give themselves a whopping 300 percent pay increase.

Instead of working more for their higher pay, they are doing the opposite. They are working less to earn more money!

With the cancellation of this meeting, the city council reduced its payload by about five percent. Here is our suggestion - kick back five percent, or about $1,500, to the Elk Grove taxpayers whom you have ripped off.

After all, pre-orchestrated cancellation of meetings for your convenience is not a fulfillment of your agreed-upon duties as elected public officials.

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All Aboard! The Elk Grove City Council is on a New Track and It’s Gonna Cost Us

2025-08-28T08:20:00.000-07:00

By D. J. Blutarsky | Guest Commentary |

Mass transit projects in California have historically been plagued with funding problems, cost overruns, and overall public ambivalence. However, the City of Elk Grove through its transit partner, Sacramento Regional Transit District (SacRT) has now begun a focused effort on gathering public input on extending light rail and rapid bus service within Elk Grove.

While light rail service to Elk Grove had historically been poo-poohed by past City Councils, the current Council realizes that there are some real advantages to be had, and they are moving full speed ahead to formulate a plan–one that will require money – lotsa money. Brace yourself, I believe they are coming for our wallets.

SacRT is funded by a combination of sales tax revenue, federal and state grants, and various other fees. Measure A was passed by Sacramento County voters in 1988 and raised the sales tax ½ cent for transportation projects. An extension of Measure A was approved in 2004 and will expire in 2039.

Measure B was passed by Sacramento County voters in 2016 and raised the sales tax by an additional ½ cent for light rail extension, road/transit maintenance, and other highway improvements. That sales tax measure will expire in 2047.

A new 40-year transportation sales tax measure in 2022 was soundly defeated by voters, much to the chagrin of land developers who were looking for ways to channel tax dollars into new road construction to help support their planned developments. But voters essentially wanted to see any new tax money fix and maintain the neglected road system that already existed. A second developer-led attempt to resurrect that Measure was quietly withdrawn last year.

So now we hear the Elk Grove City Council beating the drums and holding public workshops to extend light rail and rapid bus into the city, unfortunately long after they had rejected light rail and watched the SacRT money flow instead to Rancho Cordova, Folsom, and eventually to the airport. This change of heart is noteworthy on two fronts – who will benefit from this and how it will be paid for.

A large percentage of Elk Grove residents work for various Federal, State, and County agencies in downtown Sacramento, and with the broad phasing out of work-from-home arrangements, these residents are now forced to commute downtown once again. In one prior survey, the Sacramento Bee estimated that 78% of the commuters travel alone by vehicle for the 30-45 minute daily commute. Then once they arrive, the commuters must attempt to find (and usually pay) for a much-coveted parking spot.

Rapid bus and light rail in Elk Grove would alleviate congestion along I-5 and Hwy 99 and would undoubtedly be supported by downtown commuters. Home builders would also love to market their new subdivisions as being easily accessible to light rail and rapid bus (much like Delta Shores homes are being marketed).

Now we come to the hard part–how will this major undertaking be paid for? Elk Grove currently competes with the other cities and the County for limited transportation funds. Besides, the light rail funds have already been earmarked for extension through Natomas and the airport. But wait, Elk Grove has a solution!

Not to be written off as a day late and a dollar short, I am convinced that the Elk Grove City Council is quietly working to propose a City-wide transportation sales tax measure that will expedite and fund light rail and rapid bus to the City. Not only that, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Whitelock interchange and the troubled ACE train station included in that sales tax measure.

The Measure E one percent sales tax increase was passed by Elk Grove voters in 2022 and was promoted as the “Safety and Quality of Life” measure. Now that we are safe and have a quality of life, let’s transport that happiness!

Traffic congestion, created in large part by the City Council’s granting of traffic exceptions to the developers (i.e. CEQA Overriding Considerations), could actually work in their favor to help get the measure passed. The developers would love to feature smiling commuters on an ACE train, light rail car, or smooth bus in their brochures!

Just as the zoo outreach project prioritized fancy renderings and happy animals, the City’s transportation outreach program appears to be skirting the primary issue of whether residents even want this service and how it will be paid for. Instead, we are given choices of station locations on a map and a leading survey that leads us down a one-way track (pun intended).

All aboard!
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Presumed 2026 challenger to Elk Grove Mayor files papers

2025-08-27T00:30:00.000-07:00

With 14 months until the 2026 November general election, one person has filed papers displaying an intention to run for Elk Grove mayor.

Elk Grove resident Roger Banos-Gonzalez has filed a California Form 510 with the Elk Grove City Clerk. The Form 501, a Candidate Intention Statement, was filed on August 20.

Little is known about Banos-Gonzalez; however, he replied to a recent Elk Grove News posting on X. That post shows his X account and outlines a platform.

That platform included items such as safety and economic growth. The posting also says, "Election day is coming - let's build a better future together.

See some of his posts on X below.

Roger Banos pen name: Juan Pablo Segovia
. pic.twitter.com/H5RnGs1Nwl
— Juan Pablo Segovia, Escritor (@JuanPab79717650) August 21, 2025

#ElkGrove
Roger Banos for Elk Grove Mayor 2026 pic.twitter.com/QnlBYDPCu9
— Juan Pablo Segovia, Escritor (@JuanPab79717650) August 26, 2025

#ElkGrove #Sacramento #California #916today
.
My Vision: Establish a specialized city department staffed with experienced business development professionals—think of them as Elk Grove’s economic ambassadors. Their mission: actively recruit major companies to relocate or expand… pic.twitter.com/x8NxPqE1XR
— Juan Pablo Segovia, Escritor (@JuanPab79717650) August 22, 2025

Sacramento County Supervisor Pat Hume raises $48,000 for 2026 reelection campaign

2025-08-26T00:30:00.000-07:00

For the six months ending June 30, 2025, District 5 Sacramento County Supervisor raised $43,121 in contributions for his 2026 reelection campaign.

Hume, who won his first term in 2022 by narrowly defeating former Cosumnes Community Services District Director Jaclyn Moreno, ended the reporting period with $80,538. Hume also loaned his campaign $15,000.

Interestingly, all of the contributions were either $250 or $100. Hume does not have any announced challenger for 2026.

Among the noteworthy $250 donations were the following:

Angela Spease, Cosumnes Community Services District Director
Kevin Spease, Elk Grove City Council member
Sergio Robles, Elk Grove City Council member
Rod Brewer, Elk Grove City Council member
David Sander, Rancho Cordova City Council member
Susan Peters, former Sacramento County Supervisor
Sacramento Firefighter Local 522
Sacramento County Probation Association
Phyliss Baltz, President, Dignity Health Methodist Hospital
Suzanne Taylor, Attorney, Taylor, Wiley, and Keasling
Suman Singha, Elk Grove Planning Commissioner
Paul Petrovich, President, Petrovich Development
Committee for Home Ownership, North State Builders Association
Marie Jachino, Executive Director, Elk Grove Food Bank
Laborers Local 185
Sacramento County Deputy Sheriffs' Association
Beth Albiani, EGUSD Board Member
California Real Estate PAC
Rosario Rodriguez, Sacramento County Supervisor

The donations from Elk Grove Vice Mayor Sergio Robles and Councilmember Rob Brewer, both Democrats, are particularly noteworthy. If the two council members aspire to higher office, they may have self-excommunicated themselves from endorsement by the Sacramento Democratic organization, which generally will not endorse any candidate who has supported or contributed to a Republican, such as Mr. Hume.

Interestingly, Elk Grove Mayor Bobbie Singh-Allen, a longtime ally and close personal friend of Hume, did not donate to his campaign. As a Democrat, Ms. Singh-Allen is rumored to be considering a challenge to fellow Democrat Assemblymember Stephanie Nguyen in the 2026 primary election or eyeing a run for Congress when the current Democratic Congresswoman Doris Matsui is no longer in office.

Tramps Like Us! Born to Run at 50

2025-08-25T00:30:00.000-07:00

Our third vinyl copy of Born to Run. |

By D.A. Gougherty |

There are several ways to know that you are getting older aside from the obvious. For me, there are two ways, and they are tied together.

The first is when you are old enough to remember things that occurred 50 years or more ago clearly. That, combined with the feeling of nostalgia, which the fictional character Don Draper said in a seminal episode of Mad Men, "literally means the pain from an old wound," says you're getting on in years.

Continued below

With this in mind, 50 years ago today, on August 25, Bruce Springsteen released his landmark album Born to Run. For people of a certain age and demographic, including myself, that album evokes nostalgia, mostly without the pain of an old wound.

In August 1975, I was entering my senior year at Grosse Ile High School in suburban Detroit. Being the youngest of five siblings, and having my dear Grandfather (who, as an Italian immigrant, loved listening to waltz and opera) living with us, I was fortunate to be surrounded by a wide range of music, including rock, folk, soul, jazz, pop, classical, and especially Motown, throughout my entire life.

By 1975, I was listening to Detroit's four rock and alternative FM stations. WABX, WRIF, WWWW, and Windsor, Ontario's CJOM. On those stations, especially ABX as it was called, they played Springsteen songs from his first two critically acclaimed albums.

Rosalita, from Springsteen's second album, The Wild, the Innocent & the E Street Shuffle, and "Growin' Up" from his first album, Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J., received enough airplay in Detroit that I became familiar with Springsteen's music. It wasn't until Born to Run burst on the scene that I purchased my first Springsteen album in September of 1975.

While I purchased other music during this time, I played that album so much that it literally wore out.

By the summer of 1977, in between my freshman and sophomore years at the University of Michigan-Dearborn, I was back at my parents' house for a summer job. That job at an aluminum processing plant had me working 55 hours a week - 10 hours a day, Monday through Friday, and five hours on Saturday.

After dragging my butt out of bed at 6 am, I would go to work, vowing to get more sleep the next night. But once 5:30 pm rolled around, I was revived, and it was off to the bars for another night of youthful exploits with friends and siblings, followed by hitting the sack around 2 in the morning.

I did that almost every night from early May until late August when it was time to return to school. Nearly every night, I would roll into my parents' after last call and queue up Born to Run on the stereo turntable.

All eight songs on the album, including the title track and Thunder Road, are the most acclaimed. Although every song on the album spoke to me, and many others, by 1977 Backstreets and She's The One were the most relevant to me. Even in my youth, perhaps it was due to the pain of an old wound.

As a 19-year-old in 1977 (drinking age in Michigan at that time was 18!), Born to Run was the soundtrack to my life. While Born to Run has many memorable lyrics and themes that personify young love, restlessness, adventure, and rebellion, for me, the most relevant was the closing lyric in the album's first cut, Thunder Road.

It's a town full of losers, I'm pulling out of here to win!

League of Women Voters of California says it did not issue support for anti-redistricting cited in mailer

2025-08-25T00:00:00.000-07:00

In a sign of what will be a hotly contested ballot initiative, the League of Women Voters of California has issued a statement regarding an implied stance they took on this November's controversial Congressional redistricting.

When visiting their site at lwvc.org, visitors are greeted with an immediate pop-up message, as shown in the image below.

Last week, a group called "Protect Voters First" sent a mailer statewide opposing legislation signed by California Gov. Gavin Newsom, which will put a congressional redistricting proposition on a special November ballot. That initiative, if approved by voters, would supersede Congressional districts drawn by California's Citizens' Redistricting Commission.

Last week's mailer contained only one personal endorsement, and it was from Gloria Chun Hoo, the President of the League. The mailer cites an opinion piece by Chun Hoo in the Sacramento Bee on July 30, 2025.

In a statement posted on their website and signed by the Chun Hoo, it said, "This implication is not correct - we are not part of that coalition. The League of Women Voters of California did not authorize this action" and "The statement by Gloria Chun Hoo was made before the final legislation was done, and was an effort to discourage tampering with the current system of independent redistricting. It is not the final opinion of LWVC on the measure that will be on the November ballot."

Although the non-partisan group does not endorse individual candidates, it will take positions on ballot initiatives. As noted in their statement, they have not issued a final opinion on the proposition.

The Most Dangerous Intersections in Elk Grove: What the Crash Data Reveals

2025-08-24T13:00:00.000-07:00

A deadly intersection in California is in Elk Grove. |

By O’Brien & Zehnder |

Recent crash data and a string of tragic local incidents reveal that Elk Grove residents are facing an increasingly urgent traffic safety crisis. Clear patterns emerge about where and why serious accidents occur throughout the city. Understanding these high-risk zones isn't just about awareness - it could be life-saving.

Continued below

Recent Fatal Collisions Highlight Growing Concerns

Perhaps readers will recall one horrific week in May 2025, wherein four lives were lost in three fatal accidents, casting a dark shadow over Elk Grove's traffic safety record.

The start of the incidents began on May 10 when a 23-year-old man lost his life after his Lexus struck a tree on Elk Grove Boulevard. This fatal crash followed a minor hit-and-run incident with another vehicle at the intersection of Elk Grove Boulevard and Fire Poppy Road.

However, the deadliest stretch was northbound Waterman Road near Sheldon Road. On May 17, a 42-year-old motorcyclist lost control and died at the scene. Just four days earlier, on May 13, the same stretch claimed two more lives when a single-vehicle crash killed both a 21-year-old male driver and a female passenger, with speed believed to be a contributing factor.

These recent incidents are part of a troubling pattern and demonstrate how quickly poor driving decisions can result in irreversible consequences. Just three days after the last fatality, a Tesla crashed into a ditch on Sheldon Road near Excelsior Road and caught fire on May 20, resulting in minor injuries and forcing an extended road closure.

Sadly, yet another pedestrian fatality occurred on Interstate 5 near Elk Grove Boulevard in the same month when a male pedestrian stood in a traffic lane and was struck by a vehicle.

The Data Behind Elk Grove’s Most Dangerous Intersections

Data analysis of Elk Grove collisions reveals concerning high-risk locations for drivers. The Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS) analyzed 435,000 collision records from 2015 and ranked Calvine Road and Elk Grove Florin Road as California's 45th most dangerous intersection.

This intersection recorded a troubling safety score of 91, with 19 crashes and 24 injuries. While this places it among the top 50 most dangerous intersections statewide, it's particularly significant given that only 39 of the study's ranked intersections are located outside of Southern California. This makes Elk Grove's representation in this data especially notable.

The broader Sacramento region shows alarming trends, with Sacramento County recording 13 dangerous intersections—the second-highest total in California behind Los Angeles County's 221. Elk Grove specifically accounts for four of the region's dangerous intersections, alongside contributions from Folsom, Rancho Cordova, Citrus Heights, and Orangevale

Patterns and Prevention: What the Evidence Shows

Analysis of collision data exposes troubling trends that every Elk Grove driver needs to recognize. The stretch of Waterman Road near Sheldon Road has become a fatal hotspot, claiming multiple lives through crashes involving high speeds and drivers losing control. The area around Elk Grove Boulevard near Backer Ranch Road has also witnessed fatal single-vehicle accidents involving alcohol and speed.

The 2022 California Traffic Safety statistics help explain what's happening in Elk Grove. While overall traffic deaths fell 2% to 4,428, that improvement masks some disturbing trends. Deaths from drunk driving increased 1.8% to 1,479. Motorcycle fatalities rose 3.8% to 634. The bicycle death toll tells the most concerning story—a 32% jump from 134 to 177 fatalities in just one year.

These statistics aren't just numbers - they represent families forever changed by preventable tragedies. Speed, alcohol impairment, and failure to yield right-of-way continue to be primary factors in serious crashes throughout Elk Grove and Sacramento County.

Elk Grove-based O’Brien & Zehnder Law Firm represents car accident, wrongful death, and other personal injury victims in Elk Grove and Sacramento County.

The ICE Man Cometh? The Economic Impact to Elk Grove If I.C.E. Comes to Town

2025-08-24T08:15:00.000-07:00

By DJ Blutarsky | Guest Commentary |

On August 22nd, the U.S. State Department announced it would be screening 55 million U.S. visa holders for potential violations that could lead to visa revocation and deportation. The vetting process will be continuous and will include reviewing social media accounts, law enforcement records, and immigration histories of visa holders (including expired visas).

Setting aside the local political jingles like “We are a compassionate City” and “Welcome to all" the fact is the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (“ICE”) agency is on the move across the country and Elk Grove is not exempt from the potential deportation of its unauthorized residents, including those who have overstayed their visas.

Besides the personal impacts of deportation, I wanted to briefly assess the potential economic impact of mass deportation on the local Elk Grove economy and the City’s budget. This assessment is obviously not precise and I have used several AI sources to assist in this study. It will take some time for the U.S. government to sift through 55 million computer files. But in the meantime, it is important to ask, what if…

According to a profile by the Migration Policy Institute, there are an estimated 63,000 unauthorized residents living in Sacramento County. Elk Grove has about 11.4% of the County population, so extrapolating those numbers, it can be estimated that Elk Grove has roughly 7,182 unauthorized residents living in the city and potentially subject to deportation. We don’t know the ages of these 7,182 residents, but we can make some general assumptions on the loss of business revenue if these residents were removed from the population. The Census Bureau estimated that in 2022, total retail sales in Elk Grove was $3,557,761,000.

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Assuming that the vast majority of those Elk Grove sales were made by Elk Grove residents, then the per capita total retail sales in 2022 was $19,986 per person. Assuming a five percent inflation rate of goods prices from 2022 to the present, it can be estimated that each person in Elk Grove will spend roughly $20,985 this year. Removing 7,182 people and businesses could lose about $150.7 million in annual revenue if mass deportation occurs.

Sales tax revenue accounts for roughly 49% of the City’s budget revenue. The City receives .75% of the purchase price as sales tax and an additional .70% of additional Measure E sales tax revenue, or a total of 1.45% sales tax from purchases. Removing $150.7 million in purchases by deported residents, the City would lose approximately $2.1 million in direct sales tax revenue. Since it is estimated that households spend about 7% of their purchases on non-taxable items such as unprepared foods, the net total hit to the City budget would be reduced to about $2.03 million per year.

Obviously, the human toll of mass deportation would be much greater than the economic impact to Elk Grove. Non-deported persons residing in those households might also lose whatever financial aid the deported residents may have been contributing to the household expenses, such as EBT food and cash stipends.

Business will take a hit if the ICE man cometh, but I’m sure the continued population growth of new residents will more than make up for the loss in the long term. As for the City, a $2 million hit to their warchest is a drop in the bucket. I’ve seen them blow more than that chasing MSL soccer and zoo dreams!

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Climate Advocates Urge Governor, Legislative Leaders to Stop Selling Out to Big Oil

2025-08-24T06:30:00.000-07:00

By Dan Bacher |

While Governor Gavin Newsom has very skillfully trolled Trump on social media, drawing praise from people all over the country, he and the California Legislature have at the same time incurred the wrath of environmental justice advocates for pushing an array of controversial bills that they consider to amount to “selling out to Big Oil.”

On Wednesday morning, climate advocates representing a coalition of 140 organizations held a press conference on the Capitol lawn calling out Governor Gavin Newsom and state lawmakers for reversing course on their promises to take concrete steps against Big Oil that would move California towards a clean energy future.

Newsom and legislative leaders are trying to ramrod environmentally destructive bills through the Legislature, including one that would expand oil drilling in California and another that would extend cap and trade through 2045 without amendments to spending guardrails, emission caps and regulatory oversight.

Melissa Romero, Policy Advocacy Director with the California Environmental Voters, opened the press conference and introduced the speakers.

Following Romero, the speakers were: Raquel Mason, Senior Legislative Manager, California Environmental Justice Alliance; Sean Bothwell, Executive Director, California Coastkeeper Alliance; Asha Sharma, State Policy Manager, Leadership Council for Justice and Accountability; and Tyler Earl, Senior Staff Attorney, Communities for a Better Environment.

The renewed cry for state leaders to protect California and its residents from the devastating climate and environmental impacts of fossil fuel production comes as Newsom signals a reversal on his promise to shut down oil refineries in the state, and ahead of a joint legislative hearing on a package of bills that would make it easier for Big Oil to drill, threatening California’s environment and climate progress, according to a press statement from the groups.

“Our Governor has shown he can be a strong national voice, and now Californians need that same leadership here at home on issues that are important to voters, like clean water and clean air,” said Melissa Romero, Policy Advocacy Director of California Environmental Voters. “That means ensuring clean, affordable energy that lowers bills and safeguarding clean water so every community can thrive in the face of climate change.”

“California is supposed to be a beacon of hope, showing the rest of the nation what is possible when you have courage,” Romero continued. “The good news is, it’s not too late! We can still take bold action to ensure future generations don’t grow up next to oil refineries, breathe toxic air, drink polluted water, or play in toxic soil.”

“We can make California healthier and more affordable by protecting people from climate disasters, lowering health costs tied to pollution, and doubling down on making electric cars and trucks affordable and available to people to clean up our air,” she observed.

Cap and trade must be reformed to put people first

Raquel Mason, Senior Legislative Manager of the California Environmental Justice Alliance, exposed the need for legislators to focus on affordability for the state’s residents, not oil companies and other corporate polluters.

“Lawmakers promised a legislative session focused on affordability, yet what we have seen is a commitment to the status quo with more profits for polluters while communities continue to bear the steep health and financial costs of pollution,” said Mason. “Cap and trade must be reformed to put people first. Poverty and inequality are on the rise and growing because of worsening climate change. Reforming Cap-and-Trade is an opportunity to create a more equitable and just future for communities bearing the brunt of the climate crisis with their lives and their pocketbooks.”

“Exempting mega-polluters from environmental review won’t build more housing. Lawmakers thought they could hoodwink us, but they were wrong,” argued Asha Sharma, State Policy Manager, Leadership Counsel for Justice and Accountability. “California communities are demanding a fix to SB 131 NOW because communities are already paying a steep price for smokestacks, chemical plants, and superfund sites upstream from our neighborhoods.”

“Clean water access is a right, not a privilege. Governor Newsom and the Legislature must take bold action to protect Californians’ right to clean water while the rest of the nation retreats during the Trump Administration,” said Sean Bothwell, Executive Director for the California Coastkeeper Alliance. “Under Trump, over 600,000 miles of California streams and up to 96 percent of our wetlands are at risk of losing federal Clean Water Act protections. If California doesn’t step up and protect our water now, no one will. Pass Senate Bill 601, the Right to Clean Water Act!”

“Big Oil makes record profits by cutting corners and putting our health and safety at risk. Now, it has found a twisted way to profit off the transition away from oil: by threatening massive fuel shortages if state leaders don’t gut decades of health and safety regulations. This is a classic shakedown and our leaders must stop it,” said Tyler Earl, Senior Staff Attorney with Communities for a Better Environment.

“Demand for gasoline is falling and refineries will inevitably close at some point, so it is well past time for lawmakers to plan and implement a managed decline that prevents price spikes, protects fence-line communities, and ensures a just transition for refinery workers. Otherwise, Big Oil will continue to extort the state at the expense of everyone, particularly the Black and brown communities who live near oil infrastructure,” Earl concluded.

After the press conference, the groups went into a legislative hearing to voice their opposition to the Big Oil-backed bills. Frontline advocates said more drilling would mean more destruction, toxic pollution, and harm to communities in the oil drilling regions of the state.

Cesar Aguirre of the Central California Environmental Justice Network shared with legislators his story of living next door to oil and gas drilling.

“The truth is, California oil production is in its final chapter, and the fossil fuel industry is leaving a legacy of destruction in its wake. To truly protect us from rising gas prices, we need a wholistic managed transition plan and continued progress on reducing demand,” said Aguirre.

Big Oil spends record millions to advance corporate polluters’ agenda

The reason why Big Oil is able to get Governor Gavin Newsom and the California Senate and Assembly to do their bidding at this time is due to the huge amounts of money they are pumping into lobbying California officials, as well as into political campaigns.

As I have documented in article after article, Big Oil has been spending record millions of dollars to stop climate legislation like the Polluters Pay Climate Superfund Act and to pass bad bills like the Governor's proposed legislation to exempt new oil drilling permits from environmental review.

In the second quarter of 2025, the oil and gas industry spent even more money lobbying state officials, a total of $9,206,886, than in the first quarter, stopping the Polluters Pay Climate Superfund Act and other climate legislation from moving forward, according to the California Secretary of State’s Cal Access website for disclosures by lobbyist employers: cal-access.sos.ca.gov/...

As usual, the majority of this fossil fuel cash was spent by Chevron and the Western States Petroleum Association. Chevron spent even more money on lobbying in the second quarter, $3,889,907, than in the first quarter, coming in first in lobbying expenses for the oil and gas industry.

Chevron has refused to respond to growing calls to boycott the company for its operation and co-ownership of Israeli-claimed fossil gas fields in the Mediterranean. At Chevron stations across the country, including in the Sacramento area and the San Francisco Bay Area, local human rights and environmental justice groups have been holding regular protests to highlight the company’s complicity in genocide, as well in environmental destruction and human rights violations across the globe.

The Western States Petroleum Association finished second in the oil industry lobbying expenses with $3,032,226 spent in the second quarter: cal-access.sos.ca.gov/...

The oil and gas industry spent a total of $9,139,655 in the first quarter of 2025, according to disclosures on the California Secretary of State’s website: cal-access.sos.ca.gov/...

Chevron came in first with $3,758,914 spent, while the Western States Petroleum Association finished second with $3,471,879 spent from January 1 through March 31. That’s well over $7 million between those two organizations alone. Again, Much of that money was spent on opposing the Climate Superfund Act and other climate bills in 2025's first quarter.

With the first two quarters of the year combined, Chevron has spent $7.6 million, while WSPA has spent $6.5 million in 2025 to date.

Chevron and the Western States Petroleum Association spend more than any other corporate lobbying organizations in Sacramento every year.

Last year the Western States Petroleum Association placed first in the Big Oil lobbying spending spree with $17.4 million, while Chevron came in second with $14.2 million. Spending by the Western States Petroleum Association and Chevron alone shattered the previous record, coming in at $31.6 million in 2024, according to data compiled by the Last Chance Alliance: lastchancealliance.org/...

Elk Grove News Minute - Today, Tomorrow, and Forever!

2025-08-23T00:00:00.000-07:00

What do extra property taxes in Elk Grove, known as Mello Roos fees, have in common with the late segregationist Alabama Governor George Wallace?

Listen Time 1 Minute

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Is there a budgeting problem at the Cosumnes Community Service District?

2025-08-22T08:30:00.000-07:00

Recently, property owners in the Cosumnes Community Services District, specifically those in Benefit Zone 3, received an urgent postcard regarding budget shortages for park maintenance (see image above). The postcard warned property owners that if they do not voluntarily impose higher taxes on themselves, the district would reduce maintenance and services to the zone's 10 parks, totaling 33 acres.

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The district (see map below) was established in 1997, and by law, the assessment can be adjusted annually in accordance with the Consumer Price Index. However, if property owners agree, they can increase the assessment rate.

On the Zone 3 webpage, the CCSD states, "Since 2009, Cosumnes CSD has made several attempts to raise the assessment to sustainable levels, but all efforts - except in three neighborhoods - have been unsuccessful. Despite aggressive cost-saving measures, funds are now critically low. Without voter-approved increases, service reductions will become unavoidable in many areas of Benefit Zone 3."

Zone 3 expenses are paid with the district-wide lighting and landscaping assessments. Benefit Zone 3 has three additional areas receiving additional funding through so-called overlay assessments.

Those overlay assessments cover Camden Estates & Camden Pointe (MacDonald Park), Perry Ranch (Perry Park), and Vista Creek (Jordan Family Park). Consequently, these three areas receive additional funding and are exempt from service reductions at other park facilities in Zone 3.

The CCSD sent approximately 4,500 postcards to property owners in Zone 3 regarding their appeal for higher assessments and promoting information sessions. At a meeting held last night at the Albiani Recreation Center, a handful of residents in attendance were outnumbered by CCSD staff members.

According to one person in attendance, the fee increase, as presented at the meeting, would rise from approximately $172 to $424 annually.

Staff members informed the attendees that the district will mail ballots later this year, seeking voter approval in Zone 3 for higher assessments. Although the district did not delve into financial specifics during the meeting, these persistent deficiencies highlight district budgetary practices.

Given that the assessments were approved in 1997 and pegged to the CPI, as a matter of regular practice, for almost 30 years, it suggests the district has not accurately budgeted expenses, most notably labor costs.

Over the last few years, the CCSD has also experienced turnover of its General Manager. Former General Manager Joshua Greene left the district in May 2023 and was replaced by Phil Lewis, who had served as the district's parks and recreation administrator. Lewis was separated from the district by a unanimous vote of the five members of the CCSD Board of Directors last October.

Interestingly, the district, which also operates and manages the Cosumnes Community Fire Department, has received extra funding from the City of Elk Grove's Measure E sales tax increase. After deducting 20 percent of that revenue to a reserve fund, 30 percent of the remaining 80 percent is directed to the CCSD, or approximately $6 million annually.

Of those allocations, based on current tax receipts, two-thirds, or $4 million, is directed to fire services, and one-third, or $2 million, is for parks and recreation. During the 2022 campaign for Measure E, where Elk Grove Mayor Bobbie Singh-Allen single-handedly convinced voters to adopt the regressive consumer sales tax increase, one of her key talking points was that the funds would be directed toward quality-of-life factors, including park maintenance.

The CCSD will conduct two more meetings regarding the assessment hikes. Those meetings will take place on September 11 at the district headquarters and another on September 25 at the Albiani Center.

UPDATED: Fatal motorcyle-truck collision on Elk Grove-Florin Road under investigation by Elk Grove Police

2025-08-22T08:15:00.000-07:00

UPDATED 2:30 p.m. |

This morning, the Elk Grove Police Department has reported a fatal collision between a motorcycle and a truck.

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The police department posted the information about the Elk Grove-Florin Road incident on social media about two hours. Elk Grove Florin Road is closed between West Camden Drive and Sheldon Road, and no reopening date has been set.

No further information has been released by the police department regarding the fatality.

The Elk Grove Police Department released the following information regarding the accident:

The Elk Grove Police Department responded to a vehicle versus motorcycle collision on Elk Grove Florin Road, just north of Campbell Road on August 22, 2025 around 6:15 AM.

Upon arrival, officers discovered that the pickup truck pulling a trailer was making a U-turn from northbound Elk Grove Florin Road to southbound Elk Grove Florin when the 21-year-old motorcyclist who was also traveling north on Elk Grove Florin Road broadsided the truck. The motorcyclist was thrown from their motorcycle as a result of the collision and suffered fatal injuries. Medical personnel arrived and determined that the motorcyclist was deceased. Identification of the motorcyclist will be made by the Sacramento County Coroner’s Office.

The collision is under investigation at this time. Anyone with information regarding this fatal traffic collision is asked to call the Elk Grove Police Department Traffic Bureau at (916) 478-8143.

Mailers for November redistricting elections start arriving; Prepare for a media deluge

2025-08-21T16:50:00.000-07:00

With the ink barely dry from Gov. Gavin Newsom's signature on legislation passed today in Sacramento, political mailers for the November redistricting special election have started arriving in voters' mailboxes.

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A quick survey of Democratic, Independent, and Republican voters in Elk Grove, and likely throughout the state, found they received a mailer today urging them to vote no on the proposal to allow redistricting of California's 58 Congressional districts. If approved by voters, the new district maps could eliminate five of the nine Republicans in Congress.

The mailer from the independent group called Protect Voters First (sponsored by the Hold Politicians Accountable Ad Committee's Top Funder, Charles Munger Jr.) includes endorsements from the highly respected League of Women Voters of California. Although that group does not endorse individual candidates, it will take positions on ballot propositions.

The four-page glossy mailer is a prelude to what will undoubtedly be a deluge of mailers, TV commercials, online advertising, and social media postings.

Separately, Elk Grove's representatives in the California Assembly and State Senate, Stephanie Nguyen and Angelique Ashby, vote in favor of the special election.

Locally, if the redistricting is approved, District 3 Republican Congressman Kevin Kiley is considered vulnerable. In 2022, Kiley narrowly won the then newly drawn district, which includes a large rural area that had traditionally supported Republicans.

As reported by the Sacramento Bee, Kiley could face Democratic Congressman Ami Bera. The 2026 elections are now underway.

City of Elk Grove holds permanent homeless shelter open house information session

2025-08-21T09:45:00.000-07:00

As the point person on the establishment of a permanent homeless shelter, Elk Grove's Housing
Manager Sarah Bontrager and other city staff gathered input from residents on the proposed facility. |

As part of the City of Elk Grove's decision to locate a permanent year-round homeless shelter in the city limits, an open house information session was held at the Elk Grove Public Library.

The Wednesday, August 20, session drew several dozen residents who engaged one-on-one with members of the city staff involved in the project. In the video below, we spoke with Ms. Sarah Bontrager, who, as the city's housing manager, is leading the overall project.

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Elk Grove currently operates its shelter in leased space at the Calvary Christian Center church on East Stockton Boulevard just north of Elk Grove Boulevard. The church facilities are in what was once the Elk Grove Ford dealership, before it relocated to the Elk Grove Auto Mall.

Before the Calvary Christian Center operation, the shelter was located in what would become the soon-to-be relocated Elk Grove Public Library on the corner of Elk Grove Boulevard and Waterman Road in the city's Old Town-Historic Downtown Elk Grove special planning area. That facility was originally a Rite Aid drugstore.

While the city has fully funded the shelters, they have contracted with Roseville, Calif.-based The Gather Inns for ongoing operations.

As Ms. Bontrager noted in the video, this session was the first step in what will be a lengthy public outreach campaign. Based on local resistance to both facilities, wherever the shelter is located, it is expected to encounter opposition from adjoining residents.

Further information on upcoming information sessions can be viewed here.

State of Calif. issues heat warning; Severe heat warning issued Thursday & Friday for Elk Grove

2025-08-20T13:47:00.000-07:00

Each day, every California ZIP code receives a score from 0 to 4 on an easy-to-understand scale that communicates heightened risk of heat illness. Click to enlarge. |

Today, Gov. Gavin Newsom issued a statement about the severe heat the state will experience over the next several days.

The statement said, "Governor Gavin Newsom continues to direct the state to take action ahead of anticipated higher temperatures across much of the state today through Saturday. Extreme heat is the deadliest weather-related hazard in California and the nation."

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As part of the heat wave, the Governor is deploying assets in advance to fire-prone areas. Addtionally, the Newson's statement said, "The state entered Phase 2 of its extreme temperature response plan today – ramping up state and local coordination of resources to prepare for extreme heat. At the Governor's direction, the State Operations Center at the Governor's Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) is on an enhanced watch posture for both heat and fire conditions. Cooling centers to protect vulnerable residents are also opening in communities across the state."

A link in the press statement to the state's CalHeatScore webpage features an interactive statewide map showing forecasts by zip code. According to the map, Elk Grove is forecasted for severe conditions on Thursday and Friday, the highest rating on their scale (see images above and below).

Contrary to Governor Newsom's urging, Elk Grove is unlikely to open a cooling center as it does not meet its minimum heat requirements. As noted in the Governor's press release, a link to cooling centers statewide is available here.

Each day, every California ZIP code receives a score from 0 to 4 on an easy-to-understand scale that communicates heightened risk of heat illness.

The first Elk Grove Police officer was killed in the line of duty over three years ago, but no trial date yet for defendant

2025-08-19T10:30:00.000-07:00

On January 21, 2022, the first Elk Grove Police officer was killed in the line of duty. A suspected drunk driver killed motorcycle patrol officer Tyler Lenehan.

Officer Lenehan was operating his motorcycle on northbound Highway 99 in the early morning hours when the suspected impaired driver, Jermain Jeryan Walton, struck his vehicle in a head-on collision. Walton, who reportedly fled the scene on foot after the crash, was driving in the wrong direction and had a blood alcohol content of .15, almost twice the legal limit.

After being apprehended, Walton was arrested and remains in custody at the Sacramento County Jail. Walton was on probation from a previous DUI in 2017.

While California Law provides for a speedy trial for criminal defendants, the timeline for cases can range from several months to several years. In the case of Walton, the process has been extended over three and a half years.

An online review of the proceedings suggests (see document below) that there were 10 trial readiness conferences, suggesting a trial date could be set. However, setting a trial date can be delayed if the defendant waives their right to a speedy trial.

The last trial readiness conference was on September 26, 2024. Since then, there have been hearings classified as "further proceedings" and "motion for discovery."

The next hearing is scheduled for 9:00 a.m. on September 5, in Department 11 of the Sacramento Superior Court. The hearing is classified as "further proceedings.

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When contacted to comment on the extended delay of the trial, the Elk Grove Police Department issued a statement from Chief Bobby Davis.

"The District Attorney's Office has done an outstanding job keeping us informed throughout this process. Members of our organization have been present at every hearing, and once a trial date is set, we will be there as well, continuing to stay alongside the Lenehan family, our Elk Grove PD family, and the District Attorney's Office in support.

While the court process in California can take time when it comes to serious crimes, we have complete faith in the dedication and professionalism of the District Attorney's Office, and we remain confident that justice will ultimately be served."

An inquiry to the Sacramento District Attorney's public information office seeking comment on the status of the case, was answered with the following statement.

"The defendant was arraigned on 1/25/22 on the attached charges. He was held to answer on those charges on 9/22/22. A trial date has not been set. The next hearing date is on 9/5/25, at 9 a.m. in Dept. 11 for further proceedings."

Activists unfurl banners calling on Newson to stand up to Big Oil, stop oil drilling expansion

2025-08-19T10:00:00.000-07:00

Photo by Dan Bacher. |

By Dan Bacher |

Sacramento - As the California Legislature returned to session after the summer recess on Monday, a group of climate and environmental activists unfurled four blue and yellow banners proclaiming “Newson Stand Up To Big Oil” in the Capitol rotunda.

While they held the banners aloft, they chanted, “When Big Oil is on the attack, what do we do? Stand up, fight back,” and other chants urging the Governor and Legislature to not cave into Big Oil pressure to pass bills that would expand oil drilling in California.

“The protest was held today because the Governor and Legislature are considering bills proposing more oil drilling in California in response to refinery closures,” said Ilonka Zlatar of the Oil and Gas Action Network. “They are trying to roll back the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and other environmental laws.”

Food & Water Watch California Director Nicole Ghio, also commented on the significance of the action in a statement.

“Today we are sending the clear message that Californians will not stand by while self-appointed climate leaders in both the legislature and governor’s mansion capitulate to industry pressure, endangering our health and our climate in the process,” Ghio said. “This is not the time to back down in the face of corporate greed, it’s the time to fight even harder for the safe, clean and sustainable future free from pollution that Californians deserve.”

The governor's office circulated a legislative proposal in July that would dramatically expand oil drilling across the state and undermine health protections and community input in the review process, according to Ghio.

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Two of the oil industry-backed bills moving through the session this year — AB 881 and SB 614 —are expected to be heard in the Appropriations Committee soon.

“These bills would create a pathway to prematurely lift California’s 2022 moratorium on CO2 pipelines and carbon capture and storage (CCS) projects, which could put California communities already burdened by pollution at more riskof health and safety harms,” according to Ghio.

“California’s moratorium on CO2 pipelines was intended to protect us from the lack of federal pipeline regulations,” said Food & Water Watch Northern California Organizer Isabel Penman. “At a time when our federal government is stripping away our protections at every turn, why are we even considering lifting the ones we do have.

“Lifting the moratorium would put communities at risk of incredibly dangerous, or even potentially deadly, CO2 leaks and could speed up the greenlighting of the failing fossil fuel industry schemes like carbon capture and storage. We simply can’t afford to risk the safety of our communities,” Penman noted.

Dr. Goli Sahba, a retired physician with Third Act Sacramento and the Sacramento Climate Coalition, emphasized that millions of Californians are at risk of the increasing adverse health impacts of expanded oil drilling and fossil fuel burning if the legislation is able to pass through the Legislature and go to the Governor’s Desk.

“The consequences of increased fossil fuel extraction are very real. They include increased risks of asthma, cardiovascular events, MI, strokes, dementia and pre-term births,” explained Sahba.

Informational hearing on gasoline supply set for Aug. 20

Legislators are also considering weakening refinery regulations, yet another hand out to an industry already raking in record profits while polluting the air, water, and climate.

On Wednesday, August 20, the legislature is holding an informational hearing in Sacramento on California’s gasoline supply. However, advocates note that behind the technical title is a very real threat: the hearing will likely give political cover to these disastrous proposals, according to an action alert from the Last Chance Alliance: https://lastchancealliance.org

The hearing starts at 1:30 PM in the Swing Space, Room 1100, and there will be time for public comments.

Green California is also hosting a press conference and rally at 10 AM on the west steps of the Capitol.

Big Oil lobbying spending spree continues in Sacramento

The Western States Petroleum Association finished second in the oil industry lobbying expenses with $3,032,226 spent in the second quarter.

The oil and gas industry spent a total of $9,139,655 in the first quarter of 2025, according to disclosures on the California Secretary of State’s website.

Chevron came in first with $3,758,914 spent, while the Western States Petroleum Association finished second with $3,471,879 spent from January 1 through March 31. That’s well over $7 million between those two organizations alone. Again, nuch of that money was spent on opposing the Climate Superfund Act and other climate bills in 2025's first quarter.

With the first two quarters of the year combined, Chevron has spent $7.6 million, while WSPA has spent $6.5 million in 2025 to date..

Chevron and the Western States Petroleum Association spend more than any other corporate lobbying organizations in Sacramento every year.

Last year the Western States Petroleum Association placed first in the Big Oil lobbying spending spree with $17.4 million. while Chevron came in second with $14.2 million. Spending by the Western States Petroleum Association and Chevron alone shattered the previous record, coming in at $31.6 million in 2024.

WSPA and the oil companies wield their power in 8 major ways: through (1) lobbying; (2) campaign spending; (3) serving on and putting shills on regulatory panels; (4) creating Astroturf groups; (5) working in collaboration with media; (6) sponsoring awards ceremonies and dinners, including those for legislators and journalists; (7) contributing to non profit organizations; and (8) creating alliances with labor unions, mainly construction trades.

Big Oil lobbyists and CEOs have often served on state advisory and regulatory panels and commissions.

For example, Catherine Reheis-Boyd, the president and CEO of WSPA, served as the chair of the Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA) Initiative Blue Ribbon Task Force to create “marine protected areas” in Southern California waters from 2009 to 2012 at the same she was lobbying for new offshore drilling off the California Coast. She also served on the task forces to create “marine protected areas” on the Central Coast, North Central Coast and North Coast from 2004 to 2012.