Thanks to our sponsors
Double your donation today
Support your nonprofit and nonpartisan state news.
Unbiased news reporting is the foundation of democracy.
Katherine, Fresno
Featured CalMatters Member
CalMatters en Español
Las políticas públicas y las leyes de California, explicadas.
JUSTICE
Commentary
Unfounded concerns about State Bar’s efforts to close the justice gap
Current proposals to broaden access to legal services are predicated on sound regulatory frameworks that keep the public protected.
ECONOMY
Commentary
Newsom’s gas rebate would stymie state’s climate goals
The governor should be speeding up the transition to zero-emission technologies, not padding the coffers of profit-rich oil companies.
CALIFORNIA DIVIDE
A statewide media collaboration to raise awareness about poverty and income inequality through in-depth journalism and community outreach.
EDUCATION
Commentary
Taking educational equity to the next level
Every California community college is working to develop the next three-year iteration of its student equity plan. We owe it to our students to develop strategies and actions that can eliminate racial disparities.
Pandemic, retirements fuel state’s substitute teacher shortage
In years past, finding enough substitute teachers at California’s high schools was not a daily struggle. Now they are in high demand.
Ethnic studies and civics need to be taught together, not separately
Ethnic studies can teach our children about their commonalities and their unique identities. Civics can teach them how to work toward compromise. California’s plan, however, is for these lessons to be taught separately. That makes no sense.
HOUSING
Commentary
Steps state leaders can take to address the affordable housing crisis
Progress in dealing with California’s affordable housing crisis has been abysmal, and this is unacceptable. Here are a few actions to take now:
ENVIRONMENT
Can Californians afford electric cars? Wait lists for rebates are long and some programs have shut down
State funding is insufficient so lower-income residents have trouble getting their subsidies. The problems jeopardize California’s climate and air pollution goals as electric car prices keep rising.
Commentary
For his water plan to work, Newsom must marshal all key forces
The governor’s new water plan is timely and much needed, but making it happen will require unprecedented compromises from California’s powerful environmentalist lobby.
Explainers
Explore CalMatters’ explainer “card decks” to discover the data-driven context you need to make sense of big issues confronting California.
HEALTH
Commentary
We need to rebuild California’s public health workforce
To bring COVID under control and address other ongoing public health emergencies, we need a well-trained army of public health workers.
ELECTION 2022
PROJECT SPOTLIGHT
Commentary
California elections finally had national relevance. Democrats didn’t capitalize
The Democratic Party could regret its failure to better coordinate campaigns in California and spend more money on congressional races that helped determine control of the House of Representatives.
No, California’s young voters did not turn out more than seniors. But they did clinch elections
The narrative that young voters surpassed seniors in election turnout is simply not true. But they are influencing elections in a major way, and helping Democrats win elections across California.
POLITICS AND THE CAPITOL
PROJECT SPOTLIGHT
Commentary
Why Disney’s lip service to LGBTQ+ people is no longer enough
Corporations can no longer pay lip service to the rights of LGBTQ+ people while actively undermining them through their political donations.
COLLEGE BEAT
More Coverage
COMMENTARY
My Turn
A policy approach to make California a state of ‘Belonging’
California must show the nation a way that offers complete democratic participation, inclusion and a narrative of “Belonging.” Here’s how:
DAN WALTERS
What now for Newsom’s oil profits tax?
California Gov. Gavin Newsom is railing against high gasoline prices, accusing the oil industry of price-gouging and wants to tax their profits. But will it happen?
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.
WHATMATTERS NEWSLETTER
Follow the latest news on your California government, delivered to your inbox weekday mornings
Our team closely follows what’s happening in California, from homelessness and drought to wildfires and public education. Sign up for our newsletters to get the critical context you need to understand the problems we face and the possible solutions that could lead to a better California for all.
As storm hits California, what about drought, wildfires?
Many Californians will wake up this morning to a relatively rare phenomenon: Rain. Today, the freezing-cold temperatures and high-powered winds that have gripped much of the state this week are…
