In today's newscast:
Californians to vote on Proposition 1 in November
Prop. 1 would let the state borrow just over $11 billion through a state bond to fund affordable housing programs.
Supporters say the measure will help build rental housing and provide supportive housing for homeless people.
They also say the measure could create up to 40,000 new homes and fund mortgages for veterans.
Riverside Mayor Patricia Lock Dawson is chair of the Big Cities Mayor Coalition. She said the proposition would help Californians facing a housing crunch.
"It actually can help them with a down payment, it can help them be able to afford a house and get in there, which to me is very important," said Dawson.
Republican lawmakers who oppose Prop. 1 say the state has already spent billions of dollars without resolving the housing crisis, and point out that only 1% of the bond is dedicated to veterans.
That reporting from our partners KVPR.
California High Speed Rail CEO stripped of certain powers
Leaders of The California High-Speed Rail Authority have stripped some spending powers from the project's CEO.
The agency’s board voted 7-2 on Friday to limit the ability of Ian Choudri to manage and sign off on contracts on his own.
This only includes contracts that are under $25 million — larger ones already require board approval.
"This board is taking seriously the issues that this Authority is dealing with and what the public is seeing," said board Chair Steve Kawa. "They're seeing a board that is very active, that is committed to make sure that we do right by the taxpayers of California."
The decision comes after an inspector general report found that four contractors billed the agency hundreds of thousands of dollars in questionable travel expenses — sometimes after hours and on taxpayers' dime.
That reporting from our partners at KQED.