Project Spotlight
Hidden Hazards: Toxic waste
Where do California’s millions of tons of toxic trash each year land?Often in poor communities, or out of state, or across the border.
Commentary Spotlight
Warehouse boom forced one California town to risk its past
Bloomington controversy showed the financial appeal but also the cultural tradeoffs for communities facing expansion.
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HOUSING
Commentary
The U.S. Supreme Court just gave California a major opportunity to lower housing costs
A recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling on housing impact fees has given California lawmakers an opening to address a key barrier to construction: cost.
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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Commentary
California foster youth and COVID orphans gaining a sense of hope from trust fund program
A California program providing trust funds, or “baby bonds,” for foster youth and COVID orphans is giving traumatized young people a chance to pursue their dreams just like everyone else.
ENVIRONMENT
Commentary
How California’s prized solution for methane gas is backfiring on farmers
The farm subsidies for a California program aiming to reduce methane gas emissions have skewed the market, making pollution as valuable as dairy in some cases, and eroded the ability for family farms to compete.
POLITICS AND THE CAPITOL
PROJECT SPOTLIGHT
Commentary
Garvey effect: Schiff’s strategy sunk down-ballot Democrats but could lead to more GOP losses
Democratic Rep. Adam Schiff’s strategy to prop up Steve Garvey encouraged more conservative voters to cast ballots in March, helping Republicans advance to the run-off in numerous down-ballot races. While Schiff’s strategy was sharply criticized, the lack of competition may end up boosting Democrats in other key races.
At 90, California political icon Willie Brown still dominates every room he enters
As Willie Brown turns 90 years old, the California political giant reflected on his career, the state of politics and his induction into the California Hall of Fame. Many in the political realm still seek his counsel.
JUSTICE
Commentary
Repealing Prop. 47 is a misguided battle cry. It won’t make California safer
Approached in a calm, rational manner, the headline-making wave of shoplifting and other property crimes suggests more prevention programs are needed to address the root…
HEALTH
Commentary
California schools aren’t equipped to handle mental health issues. That needs to change
The youth mental health crisis is well documented, yet most California schools lack the resources, training and capacity to identify concerns and respond. Greater investment, including funds to hire more school counselors, could make a difference.
ECONOMY
Commentary
No, California’s wage bump for fast food workers isn’t doomsday for restaurants. Here’s why
As the minimum wage for fast food workers increases in California, many headlines are predicting mass layoffs and price increases. These headlines are based on an outdated theory that doesn’t apply to fast food restaurants, argue two economists.
EDUCATION
Commentary
Californians are divided on LGBTQ issues at schools, but there’s a path to parental support
While tremendous progress has been made on Californians’ attitudes, many are still uncomfortable with schools being a place for LGBTQ inclusion. If red states keep banning these conversations, California can help the nation see what a careful strategy looks like.
EXPLAINERS
Explore CalMatters’ explainer “card decks” to discover the data-driven context you need to make sense of big issues confronting California.
COMMENTARY
Guest Commentary
The children affected by Aliso Canyon’s historic gas leak are voting age. They want California to ban fracking
Many of the Southern California children that were affected by the Aliso Canyon gas leak are now registering to vote for the first time and are looking for election candidates to back an outright ban on fracking.
California has to rid itself of a ‘no’ mentality to change its relationship with cars
California’s failure to build important infrastructure is at the heart of our overreliance on cars. It was once estimated that 50% of the land in American cities is devoted to vehicular infrastructure, and nearly one-quarter is dedicated to parking lots. The solution is right under our noses.
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DAN WALTERS
Californians are worried about crime, setting the stage for a ballot measure showdown
Californians once supported criminal justice reforms to lighten penalties for crime but attitudes have changed. A November ballot measure could be a test for just how much.
COLLEGE BEAT
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Why California jail death crisis focuses on San Diego
Over the last ten years, California has been locking up fewer people in jail. But the number of people dying in them has increased, with the past few years being…
