CalWatchdog is an independent, Sacramento-based journalism venture providing original investigative reports and news stories covering California state government. We’re focused on reporting on the state Capitol, state agencies and on significant government-related stories from across California that are of statewide importance. CalWatchdog is part of a new wave of web-based reporting designed to improve oversight of government. Our goal is to hold the government accountable for its spending and regulatory programs by exposing governmental waste, fraud and abuses of power. As “your eyes on California government,” we are constantly seeking input and news tips from our readers so that we may better ensure the government is working for you. We seek to cover those news stories that other news outlets are not providing. Our stories are published on the CalWatchdog website and distributed to traditional media outlets. CalWatchdog adheres to the Code of Ethics of the Society of Professional Journalists. CalWatchdog is a project of the Journalism Center at the Pacific Research Institute, a non-profit and non-partisan public policy think tank based in San Francisco. PRI is a 501(c)(3) exempt organization.

Our Mission