Project Spotlight
California’s risky bet on rehab
The state is pushing to replace incarceration with rehabilitation — but do these programs work?
Commentary Spotlight
Is crime rising or falling? In L.A., leaders struggle to respond
Newton: Crime is complicated, and requires investment, coordination and strategy. L.A. leaders do not inspire confidence.
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POLITICS AND THE CAPITOL
PROJECT SPOTLIGHT
Commentary
California’s electorate doesn’t reflect the state’s diversity. It’s time to fix that
Voters in California are disproportionately older, richer, more educated and whiter than the overall population. Fully automatic voter registration and consistent investments in voter engagement could help California’s political system better reflect its diversity.
Gov. Gavin Newsom may regret pledges to Black Californians
Gov. Gavin Newsom’s promises to Black Californians about filling U.S. Senate seat and providing reparations for the lingering effects of slavery might be harder to fulfill than he originally thought.
EDUCATION
Commentary
Many Black students can barely afford Cal State. Tuition hikes will only make it worse
The California State University system is considering annual tuition hikes to help cover a billion-dollar budget gap. Increasing attendance costs could make it harder for Black students who are already facing stubborn achievement and economic disparities.
ENVIRONMENT
PROJECT SPOTLIGHT
Commentary
Water rights reformers scored only a minor victory in the Legislature
Three measures to overhaul state oversight of water use, giving the state water board more authority over holders of senior water rights, were introduced in the Legislature this year but the most important two died.
CALIFORNIA DIVIDE
A statewide media collaboration to raise awareness about poverty and income inequality through in-depth journalism and community outreach.
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JUSTICE
Commentary
Property crimes are taking a toll on California businesses. Lawmakers need to step up
The increase of property crimes in California hurts not just businesses but workers and customers alike. A manager from Southern California says state policymakers need…
COMMENTARY
Guest Commentary
Why some South Asians are on a hunger strike to end caste discrimination in California
A bill that would add caste to California’s fair employment and housing law and the education code is sitting on the governor’s desk. Supporters are on a hunger strike, urging Gov. Gavin Newsom to sign the bill into law.
Coercion for the mentally ill in California can also be a form of compassion
A Sacramento woman with bipolar disorder reflects on her own experience with involuntary hospitalization and the potentially fatal alternative she faced.
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DAN WALTERS
Newsom burnishes his national image by waging new attack on oil industry
Emulating previous California politicians, Gov. Gavin Newsom is singling out the oil industry as he tries to build his national political image.
EXPLAINERS
Explore CalMatters’ explainer “card decks” to discover the data-driven context you need to make sense of big issues confronting California.
ECONOMY
Commentary
Compromise settles dispute over status of franchises in fast food industry
An 11th hour compromise in the Legislature settled a conflict over whether a new state agency would set wages and working conditions in the fast food industry and implicitly undermine the franchise business system.
HOUSING
Commentary
California keeps its title as having the nation’s highest poverty rate
California has retained its position as having the worst poverty of any state, thanks to its very high living costs and a large low-income underclass.
HEALTH
Commentary
How California can improve safety and transparency of privately run bio labs
Laboratories working with potentially dangerous pathogens are not required to share information about their work with their local communities, which heightens mistrust and leads to blanket restrictions, as California saw this summer. Reporting requirements could improve safety and increase oversight.
COLLEGE BEAT
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Ricardo Lara unveils insurance plan for CA wildfires
As the threat from wildfires in California only grows with climate change, insurance companies have been pulling back their offerings to homeowners. But while the Legislature was unable to agree…
