Kristin Lam
Sacramento Government Reporter
Some 1.58 million people call Sacramento County home and about a third live in the city of Sacramento. All count on local governments to provide public services, but agencies have a long history of inequitably distributing funding and resources. Politicians elected to represent their neighbors do not always act in ways that reflect interests of their diverse communities.
As CapRadio’s Sacramento Government Reporter, I focus on covering Sacramento City Hall and connecting policy decisions to people’s daily lives. I examine the extent to which local governments in the Sacramento metro area serve all of their diverse communities and report on how agencies can equitably improve people’s quality of life. I also highlight opportunities to and residents who actively shape our local politics.
Got any suggestions or questions about local government in the Sacramento area? Please let me know, because I want my work to serve the community.
Sacramento city and county approve homelessness partnership
December 6, 2022
The city and county of Sacramento approved a homeless services partnership agreement, which lasts for five years and was spurred by the city’s Emergency Shelter and Enforcement Act.
Here's what we know about Sacramento County Election 2022 results
December 6, 2022
CapRadio will provide updates on preliminary results for Sacramento County 2022 Midterm Elections here.
Sacramento moves forward plan requiring new buildings to run on 100% electricity
November 30, 2022
New residential and commercial buildings with three or fewer stories must be all-electric starting in 2023, but there are some exceptions to the Sacramento ordinance.
Sacramento County seeks feedback on jail settlement compliance, criminal justice reforms
November 16, 2022
A consent decree approved in 2020 requires Sacramento County to improve conditions in its jails, including by expanding mental health services and reducing jail populations.
Sacramento approves another raise for City Manager Howard Chan
November 2, 2022
The Sacramento City Council approved raising City Manager Howard Chan’s salary to $400,000, marking his fifth increase since 2017.
Sacramento diverts homeless shelter funding to affordable housing projects
October 25, 2022
City officials scrapped plans to open shelters and safe camping sites to build affordable housing units in projects throughout the city.
Changes coming to Sacramento City Council could include majority-women council, more people of color
October 20, 2022
After the November election, Sacramento could see a majority-women City Council for the first time since 1992, as well as more members of color.
Sacramento City Council bans homeless camps near schools, adding to existing law
October 19, 2022
The Sacramento City Council unanimously approved banning homeless encampments within 500 feet of schools. The city had already banned camps near colleges and other sites deemed critical infrastructure.
As elections loom, small Sacramento-area coffee shops put civic engagement on the fall menu
October 17, 2022
Coffee shop owners say their communal spaces are natural locations for civic engagement events about local politics.
Investigation finds Sacramento Council member Sean Loloee lives in district he represents
October 12, 2022
Three months after it began, Sacramento city officials announced the results of an investigation into City Council Member Sean Loloee’s residency.