January 2023

Commentary

Scramble begins for Feinstein’s U.S. Senate seat

Dianne Feinstein, who has been a U.S. senator from California for three decades, hasn't yet said whether she'll seek another term in 2024, but would-be successors are already standing in line.

By Dan Walters • January 16, 2023

Commentary

Californians’ patience on homelessness wears thin

Gov. Gavin Newsom knows that the public's patience on homelessness is wearing thin and is squabbling with local officials over what to do.

By Dan Walters • January 15, 2023

CalMatters en Español

Por qué es buena idea declarar impuestos incluso si no debe nada

EN RESUMENEl gobierno estatal utiliza las declaraciones de impuestos para enviar dinero a los californianos. Pero algunas de las personas que más podrían usar el dinero no lo obtienen: si sus ingresos son bajos, es posible que no estén obligados a declarar impuestos y, si deciden no hacerlo, es posible que se los pierdan. Read […]

By Grace Gedye • January 13, 2023

Commentary

There’s nothing clean about offshore wind development unless California tribes are involved

Officials from California's largest tribe are concerned about the lack of engagement so far by offshore wind companies, reviving worries over the historic extraction of resources without their involvement.

By Guest Commentary • January 13, 2023

Economy

Why you should file taxes even if you don’t owe any

Tax returns are used by the state government to send Californians money. But some of the people who could most use the money don’t get it — if their incomes are low, they may not be required to file taxes, and if they choose not to, they might miss out.

By Grace Gedye • January 13, 2023

WhatMatters

Will California budget cuts take transit off track? 

Programming note: The newsletter will take a break on Monday, Jan. 16 for the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday. We’ll be back in your inbox Tuesday, Jan. 17. California’s projected $22.5 billion deficit means budget cuts are almost inevitable — much to the chagrin of climate activists, public health advocates and others who have criticized […]

By Sameea Kamal • January 13, 2023

Commentary

‘Long overdue’: Are Los Angeles voters fed up enough to expand the city council?

Residents in both New York City and Chicago have at least 50 local representatives voicing their needs. Los Angeles has 15. After last year's council audio leak revealed how some L.A. officials tried to manipulate redistricting, California's largest city is reconsidering how it handles representation.

By Jim Newton • January 12, 2023

Environment

Is California’s drought over? Here’s what you need to know about rain, snow, reservoirs and drought

A dozen days of wet and wild weather haven’t ended the drought, and won't cure the driest period in the West in the past 1,200 years.

By Alastair Bland • January 12, 2023

Inside the Newsroom

CalMatters adds commentary from veteran L.A. journalist Jim Newton

Newton’s addition to the CalMatters Commentary section is part of a larger effort to increase voices offering perspectives on statewide public policy issues.

By Sonya Quick • January 12, 2023

CalMatters en Español

La alcaldesa de Los Angeles, Karen Bass, habla sobre la gente sin hogar y la crisis de vivienda de California

EN RESUMENLiam Dillon y Ben Oreskes del LA Times entrevistan a la alcaldesa Karen Bass sobre la falta de vivienda y los problemas de vivienda en California. Read this article in English. La crisis de vivienda en California es inseparable de la cantidad de personas sin hogar en el estado. California tiene la población de […]

By Richard Procter • January 12, 2023