Thanks to our sponsors
Members make our mission possible.
CalMatters is a nonprofit newsroom and your tax-deductible donations help us keep bringing you and every Californian essential, nonpartisan information.
“Responsible and reliable journalism is critical to a healthy political process in a representative democracy.”
Bill, Sacramento
Featured CalMatters Member
CalMatters en Español
Las políticas públicas y las leyes de California, explicadas.
POLITICS AND THE CAPITOL
PROJECT SPOTLIGHT
Commentary
What Kern County and California can expect from House Speaker Kevin McCarthy
With Bakersfield Republican Kevin McCarthy as House Speaker, voters in Kern County and across California can expect more theatrics and little relief for our most pressing issues.
HEALTH
Commentary
Deadline for seismic upgrades at California hospitals fails to recognize rural realities
California hospitals face a 2030 deadline to complete retrofit upgrades required under state law. Facilities in rural areas say the nearly 30-year-old legislation was enacted with a top-down approach, and failed to recognize the distinct challenges they face.
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
Why California’s well-intentioned PAGA labor law needs reform
A California law helping workers file labor code violations claims, known as the Private Attorneys General Act, often hurts workers and employers alike. A proposed reform will appear on the 2024 November ballot.
ENVIRONMENT
Race to zero: Can California’s power grid handle a 15-fold increase in electric cars?
Despite expecting 12.5 million electric cars by 2035, California officials insist that the grid can provide enough electricity. But that’s based on multiple assumptions — including building solar and wind at almost five times the pace of the past decade — that may not be realistic.
Commentary
California could tear its circular economy if metal recycling is deemed hazardous waste
Any effort to regulate scrap metal facilities as hazardous waste treatment facilities threatens an important sector of California’s circular economy and hinder key environmental goals.
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
Double-barreled ‘tort wars’ conflict heats up
The ceaseless skirmishing among interest groups over rules governing personal injury lawsuits is known as “tort wars” and a double-barreled battle over a controversial employment law is heating up.
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.
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.
California students are struggling to read. If adopted, these education strategies will help
California students continue to struggle with essential reading skills. Adopting proven “structured literacy” strategies can make a difference.
Why University of California workers striking for better pay deserve it
University of California graduate students and workers who are on strike often face financial burdens that diminish the state’s higher education system. They deserve a living wage.
HOUSING
Commentary
The next phase of California housing reforms? Climate-safe homeownership
With one-quarter of Californians living in areas considered high-risk for wildfire, state leaders need to emphasize policies that generate more middle-income housing inside cities and create pathways to homeownership.
CALIFORNIA DIVIDE
A statewide media collaboration to raise awareness about poverty and income inequality through in-depth journalism and community outreach.
Explainers
Explore CalMatters’ explainer “card decks” to discover the data-driven context you need to make sense of big issues confronting California.
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.
COLLEGE BEAT
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.
Relief for California’s gas price pains
Maybe the governor called a special legislative session for the wrong type of gas price. In the face of wallet-busting gasoline prices across the state last summer, Gov. Gavin Newsom…
