Who is CalMatters?
A nonprofit, nonpartisan newsroom committed to explaining California policy and politics.
FEATURED CALMATTERS MEMBER
“CalMatters is an outstanding reliable news source. Adding an election guide is icing on the cake.”
-Anne, Newcastle
CalMatters en Español
Las políticas públicas y las leyes de California, explicadas.
HEALTH
Commentary
We need to rebuild California’s public health workforce
To bring COVID under control and address other ongoing public health emergencies, we need a well-trained army of public health workers.
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.
HOUSING
Commentary
Steps state leaders can take to address the affordable housing crisis
Progress in dealing with California’s affordable housing crisis has been abysmal, and this is unacceptable. Here are a few actions to take now:
CALIFORNIA DIVIDE
A statewide media collaboration to raise awareness about poverty and income inequality through in-depth journalism and community outreach.
EDUCATION
Commentary
Reaction to a lesson involving the N-word goes too far
In leading a classroom discussion about the evolution of language, the Sacramento-area teacher introduced the offensive word. Now some parents and the school district want to take away her teaching credential.
Narrowing the digital divide with pandemic benefits
The Emergency Broadband Benefit program offers a subsidy each month toward broadband service for eligible households.
I’m horrified after revisiting my favorite book from elementary school
“Island of the Blue Dolphins” is an influential part of California’s literary history, but it should not be promoted without context.
ELECTION 2022
PROJECT SPOTLIGHT
Commentary
Planned ballot initiative would restore clean air by reducing emissions
The clean air ballot initiative is a true California call to action: ambitious and forward-looking, focused on the well-being of all of our communities.
Vote to reduce plastics and clean up our environment
I have endorsed the California Plastic Pollution Reduction & Recycling Act, which will be on the ballot in November.
ECONOMY
Commentary
Newsom’s gas rebate would stymie state’s climate goals
The governor should be speeding up the transition to zero-emission technologies, not padding the coffers of profit-rich oil companies.
ENVIRONMENT
California’s Drought Crisis
A CalMatters series investigates what’s improved and what’s worsened since the last drought — and vividly portrays the impacts on California’s places and people.
PROJECT SPOTLIGHT
Commentary
State’s goal to keep batteries out of landfills needs a recharge
A new measure requiring manufacturers to develop a collection program for batteries and rechargeable devices would cut risks of toxic exposures to humans and the environment.
POLITICS AND THE CAPITOL
PROJECT SPOTLIGHT
2021 in review
Here’s your primer: What California state government has been up to in 2021
History will remember 2021 as the year when a windfall of governmentspending sought to address years of inequality, poverty and a growingpopulation left behind. Trillions of dollars were spent by the federal government, but California’s state government, facing the nation’s highest poverty rate, also saw an unprecedented budget surplus that the state’s supermajority Democrats used…
Commentary
Why Disney’s lip service to LGBTQ+ people is no longer enough
Corporations can no longer pay lip service to the rights of LGBTQ+ people while actively undermining them through their political donations.
COLLEGE BEAT
More Coverage
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
Newsom’s rosy budget ignores troubling trends
Gov. Gavin Newsom’s revised budget projects an astonishing $100 billion surplus due to soaring revenues but ignores some potentially very negative factors.
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.
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.
