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
Why is California making school transportation harder?
An effort to further regulate school transit could make it difficult for third-party services that help vulnerable kids.
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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…
ENVIRONMENT
Commentary
Colorado River deal forever changes the price of water in the West
For the first time in this drought-stricken century, a new price for water has been set under the new Colorado River pact. This agreement is the start of the end of agriculture as we know it in the West.
CALIFORNIA DIVIDE
A statewide media collaboration to raise awareness about poverty and income inequality through in-depth journalism and community outreach.
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.
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
Plan to overhaul mental health system gives California families a glimmer of hope
California families that have long sought sweeping reforms to the state’s mental health care system are feeling hopeful about Gov. Gavin Newsom’s plan to pursue a bond measure and update the Mental Health Services Act.
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.
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DAN WALTERS
The one big flaw in California’s local redistricting reforms
The state Assembly has passed legislation to require large cities, counties and school districts to use independent commissions to redraw districts for their governing boards, but the measure exempts five major counties.
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.
EXPLAINERS
Explore CalMatters’ explainer “card decks” to discover the data-driven context you need to make sense of big issues confronting California.
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California, U.S. on collision course on welfare work requirement
President Biden signed on Saturday a last-ditch bill to raise the national debt limit that includes Republican-forced provisions for stricter work requirements on welfare recipients. But California is headed in…
