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A nonprofit, nonpartisan newsroom committed to explaining California policy and politics.
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CalMatters en Español
Las políticas públicas y las leyes de California, explicadas.
EDUCATION
College Journalism Network
The network brings together student journalists from across the state to collaborate on group reporting projects, pitch and write stories for CalMatters and our media partners, and receive training.
College Beat
College Beat is produced by the CalMatters College Journalism Network, a collaboration between CalMatters and student journalists across the state.
Commentary
Universal transitional kindergarten will be a game changer
The opportunity to provide transitional kindergarten to all 4-year-olds will fill a critical equity gap toward accessing early education.
Decline in substitute teachers challenges school districts
California needs to reexamine policies that prevent retired teachers from returning as substitutes within their first six months of retirement.
Outdated Cal Grant needs an overhaul for equitable outcomes
A comprehensive proposal to reform the Cal Grant program addresses the racial disparities in the current financial aid system.
ENVIRONMENT
California’s Drought Crisis
A CalMatters series investigates what’s improved and what’s worsened since the last drought — and vividly portrays the impacts on California’s places and people.
PROJECT SPOTLIGHT
Commentary
Oil spill shows it’s time to take the next big step to protect our coast
As long as unnecessary offshore drilling is allowed to continue, no level of protection can safeguard ocean habitats.
JUSTICE
Commentary
Put legal aid in reach of all Californians
The state should build on South Dakota’s model for ensuring that those with civil law issues don’t have to go it alone.
CALIFORNIA DIVIDE
A statewide media collaboration to raise awareness about poverty and income inequality through in-depth journalism and community outreach.
POLITICS AND THE CAPITOL
PROJECT SPOTLIGHT
RecALL 2021
2021 Recall Voter Guide
What you need to know to decide your vote in the Sept. 14 recall election
Commentary
Recall election is another assault on Black voters
The same forces pushing Black voter suppression efforts in Georgia, Texas and other states are bankrolling the recall in California.
HOUSING
Commentary
CEQA has a harmful effect on housing
CEQA’s deleterious consequences on building in California remains a substantial roadblock to the elimination of the housing crisis.
ECONOMY
How much do wildfires really cost California’s economy?
A preliminary estimate shows that the Caldor Fire cost tens of millions in lost economic activity. Wildfires, and the economic disruption they cause, have a large economic impact. But right now, California has a mostly incomplete picture of how much fires cost the state each year.
Commentary
California’s legal climate hurting small business owners
As a business owner, I know firsthand how tough it is to keep up with easy-to-exploit “pro-consumer” laws.
COMMENTARY
My Turn
Budget surplus can smooth the path to higher education
Canceling administrative fees and penalties at state’s colleges and universities would remove stumbling blocks for vulnerable students.
DAN WALTERS
Will big changes shape up California schools?
Big things are happening in California’s public schools but whether they improve the educations of nearly 6 million children is still unclear.
We want to hear from you!
Want to submit a guest commentary or reaction to an article we wrote? You can find our submission guidelines here. For questions, please email commentary@calmatters.org or call (916) 234-3081.
HEALTH
Commentary
All late-stage cancer patients need access to biomarker testing
SB 535 would prohibit health care insurers that already cover biomarker testing from requiring prior authorization.
WHATMATTERS NEWSLETTER
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Supply chain crisis leaves CA scrambling
Good morning, California. It’s Thursday, October 21. Port backlog worsens One if by land, two if by sea — but expect delays either way. On Wednesday, Gov. Gavin Newsom issued an executive order to help unclog the Los Angeles and Long Beach ports, outside of which…
