Project Spotlight
Race to Zero: The state’s bumpy road to electrify cars and trucks
It could slash fossil fuel use and help clean the state’s dirty air — but a lot of questions still must be unanswered.
Commentary Spotlight
California schools turn to the courts to combat social media
As state lawmakers struggle to overcome the influence of tech giants, local schools are looking elsewhere for help.
“CalMatters provides a bit of understanding for an otherwise obtuse government.”
Thomas, Manhattan Beach
Featured CalMatters Member
Members make our mission possible.
ENVIRONMENT
Commentary
California should examine SoCalGas ties to lawsuit against Berkeley’s natural gas ban
Environmental advocates uncovered ties from SoCalGas to the California Restaurant Association lawsuit that overturned Berkeley’s ban on natural gas hookups in new buildings, asserting that the private utility improperly used ratepayer money to support the legal firm.
ECONOMY
Commentary
California investors care about environmental, social risks. It has little to do with politics
“Environmental, social and governance,” or ESG, investing has been wrongly positioned along ideological lines. ESG risks are merely long-term business risks. More importance should be given to corporate disclosures to help California investors decide what sort of environmental, social and governing realities a public company is facing.
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
Commentary
Rooting out local government corruption in California starts by ending pay-to-play
A new California law takes aim at the practice known as “pay-to-play” in which special interests make campaign contributions to local officials to sway a decision. The state senator who authored the law calls for its preservation and expansion after a judge tossed out a lawsuit trying to prevent it from taking effect.
Senate Democrats: Mega corporations that conduct business in California should pay their fair share
As Republicans stymie President Joe Biden’s budget proposal to reverse Trump-era tax cuts and increase the corporate tax rate, Senate Democrats in California want to follow through at the state level to help close the budget deficit and keep various spending programs intact. They also proposed a 25% cut for smaller businesses and additional relief…
COMMENTARY
Guest Commentary
California attorney general should resolve lagging police cases before pursuing bid for governor
The California Justice Department is struggling to complete dozens of investigations into police shootings required under a 2020 law. A mother of one victim questions the intent of the law and what Bonta’s handling of it means for his rumored aspirations for higher office.
With chronic absenteeism on the rise, why is California making school transportation harder?
A California bill seeking to further regulate school transportation could make it needlessly difficult for third-party services that support vulnerable students, such as foster or homeless youth, to meet the arduous requirements.
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.
DAN WALTERS
California transit systems’ pleas for aid haven’t moved the Capitol
California’s public transit systems say they are facing a “fiscal cliff” and are pleading for state aid, but so far haven’t gained much traction in the Capitol.
HEALTH
Commentary
Black women in California need more than short-term solutions for maternal health disparities
Despite various investments and political action, maternal death rates have climbed in recent years, especially for Black women. California passed a law in 2021 to confront racial disparities in maternal and infant health, but advocates say there needs to be mechanisms for transparency and accountability and deeper investment.
EDUCATION
Commentary
In 2024, California voters will have a chance to make quality education a civil right
In the aftermath of prolonged school closures and learning losses during the pandemic, a coalition has vowed to put forward a ballot proposition that would enshrine high-quality public education as a civil right in California.
HOUSING
Commentary
How adding a right to housing in the California constitution could alleviate the crisis
If passed, Assembly Constitutional Amendment 10 would give California voters the opportunity to enshrine housing as a fundamental right in the state constitution. The amendment could dramatically reshape how the state confronts the housing crisis.
JUSTICE
Commentary
California victims of police violence deserve help with funeral costs and recovery, too
Californians who lose a loved one to a violent crime can receive support for funeral costs, counseling and other expenses from the state’s Victim Compensation…
EXPLAINERS
Explore CalMatters’ explainer “card decks” to discover the data-driven context you need to make sense of big issues confronting California.
COLLEGE BEAT
More Coverage
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.
Which California bills will beat the deadline?
The end-of-week deadline to pass bills in their house of origin is only one day away, so legislators have been busy advancing a litany of measures. On Wednesday alone, the…
