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Las políticas públicas y las leyes de California, explicadas.
EDUCATION
Commentary
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.
Taking educational equity to the next level
Every California community college is working to develop the next three-year iteration of its student equity plan. We owe it to our students to develop strategies and actions that can eliminate racial disparities.
Pandemic, retirements fuel state’s substitute teacher shortage
In years past, finding enough substitute teachers at California’s high schools was not a daily struggle. Now they are in high demand.
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.
HEALTH
Commentary
Closing Medi-Cal’s digital divide is key to health equity
Only a small portion of Medi-Cal’s primary care providers share quality health data. We need to close the digital divide that has left behind the 13.6 million Californians supported by Medi-Cal health insurance, CalFresh food assistance and CalWORKs cash assistance—more than a third of our state’s population.
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.
CALIFORNIA DIVIDE
A statewide media collaboration to raise awareness about poverty and income inequality through in-depth journalism and community outreach.
HOUSING
Commentary
State shells out seed money for an ambitious program for homebuyers
The California Dream for All program would allow the state to invest alongside first-time homebuyers so that they could afford to purchase a home in California.
ENVIRONMENT
Can Californians afford electric cars? Wait lists for rebates are long and some programs have shut down
State funding is insufficient so lower-income residents have trouble getting their subsidies. The problems jeopardize California’s climate and air pollution goals as electric car prices keep rising.
Commentary
For his water plan to work, Newsom must marshal all key forces
The governor’s new water plan is timely and much needed, but making it happen will require unprecedented compromises from California’s powerful environmentalist lobby.
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.
POLITICS AND THE CAPITOL
PROJECT SPOTLIGHT
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
Is Newsom’s gas profits penalty really a tax?
Originally, California Gov. Gavin Newsom called for a tax on excess profits on gasoline sales, but now terms it a penalty, which would make it easier to win legislative approval.
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WHATMATTERS NEWSLETTER
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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.
California budget season starts off with a bang
A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step — like the one Assembly Democrats took Wednesday, when they unveiled their budget priorities for the upcoming fiscal year.…
