January 2023

Commentary

California housing shortage triggers cycle of despair

California's chronic shortage of housing manifests itself in sky-high housing costs, the nation's worst poverty and its highest level of homelessness.

By Dan Walters • January 23, 2023

Commentary

Transit ridership falters, posing a ‘fiscal cliff’

California wants more people to use public transit for transportation to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but ridership is down and transit systems face a "fiscal cliff."

By Dan Walters • January 22, 2023

CalMatters en Español

Después del cierre del hospital de Madera, ¿podrían seguir otros?

EN RESUMEN Bajo presión financiera, el único hospital en este condado del Valle Central cerró sus puertas este mes. Los legisladores y funcionarios de la industria dicen que otros hospitales en todo el estado pueden sufrir el mismo destino. Read this article in English. En el condado de Madera, una quinta parte de los residentes […]

By Ana B. Ibarra and Nicole Foy • January 20, 2023

Health

After Madera’s hospital closure, could others follow?

Under financial strain, the lone hospital in this Central Valley county closed its doors this month. Legislators and industry officials say other hospitals across the state may suffer the same fate.

By Ana B. Ibarra and Nicole Foy • January 20, 2023

Newsletters

A county without a hospital

Up until this month, Madera County — with a population of more than 150,000 spread out across 2,000 square miles of Central Valley farmland and sparse Sierra — had a single general hospital. Then, on Jan. 3, it closed its doors for good. As CalMatters health reporter Ana B. Ibarra and California Divide reporter Nicole […]

By Ben Christopher • January 20, 2023

CalMatters en Español

Comienzan a cerrar los sitios del estado para realizar pruebas de COVID

EN RESUMEN Mientras el estado se prepara para poner fin al estado de emergencia, los sitios de pruebas con menos demanda cerrarán primero. Read this article in English. California se está preparando para cerrar docenas de sitios de prueba y tratamiento de COVID-19 administrados por el estado antes del final planificado del estado de emergencia […]

By Kristen Hwang • January 19, 2023

Commentary

For many California children, Medi-Cal mental health services lack urgency they need

Despite recent policy changes, many California families seeking behavioral health treatment through Medi-Cal struggle to get the services they need in a timely manner. Given the scale of the emergency, state leaders must ensure these systems are sustainably resourced.

By Guest Commentary • January 19, 2023

Coronavirus

State COVID testing sites begin to close

As the state prepares to end the state of emergency, those sites with less demand will close first.

By Kristen Hwang • January 19, 2023

Newsletters

California Senate sings the budget blues

In its first formal response to Gov. Gavin Newsom’s $297 billion spending plan, the Legislature offered some pointed feedback on Wednesday: The governor’s fiscal forecasters are being too optimistic and the state needs to prepare for a worsening budgetary outlook. But Newsom shouldn’t cut climate spending. Or mental health programs. And especially not anything related […]

By Ben Christopher • January 19, 2023

Commentary

To reel in oil industry, California should examine its maintenance practices – not tax profits

To reduce gas prices, Gov. Gavin Newsom has proposed a tax on the oil industry's excess profits, but that won't necessarily help. California lawmakers should instead take a closer look at how refiners use maintenance shutdowns for their benefit.

By Guest Commentary • January 18, 2023