March 2023

Housing

A California program to fix mobile home parks approved 1 application in 10 years. Will a rebrand work?

A program to help mobile home park residents got a huge revamp last year because nobody was using it. Will more than tripling the size of the loan fund and streamlining the application process yield results?

By Manuela Tobias • March 27, 2023

WhatMatters

California celebrates diversity, but also confronts hate

In some ways, there are two Californias.  Depending on your values and political views, the state is either a bastion of diversity and inclusion, or a treacherous place for minorities and marginalized groups. On one side, many in California embrace its diversity with open arms. Today, advocates and lawmakers will kick off the Transgender Week […]

By Lynn La • March 27, 2023

Commentary

Newsom displays penchant for shiny new things on California tour

California Gov. Gavin Newson shunned a traditional State of the State address this month and instead toured the state to unveil new programs for social ills.

By Dan Walters • March 26, 2023

Environment

California lifts target for 15% water conservation as yet another storm approaches

California ended its voluntary statewide target, triggering concerns from experts that many water supplies remain depleted. Other drought measures remain in place.

By Alastair Bland • March 24, 2023

Commentary

Corporations are some of the worst polluters. This California bill keeps them honest

Supporters of a bill reintroduced this year requiring large corporations to disclose their carbon emissions argue it will empower consumers, disrupt greenwashing and help spotlight sustainable companies for others to model.

By Guest Commentary • March 24, 2023

CalMatters en Español

California rescinde su objetivo del 15% de conservación de agua a medida que se acerca otra tormenta

EN RESUMEN California finalizó su objetivo estatal voluntario, lo que provocó la preocupación de los expertos de que muchos suministros de agua siguen agotados. Otras medidas de sequía siguen vigentes. Read this article in English. Con la Sierra Nevada cubierta de nieve, grandes extensiones del Valle Central bajo el agua y muchos californianos cansados ​​de […]

By Alastair Bland • March 24, 2023

Inside the Newsroom

New reporters, editors and fundraising professionals join CalMatters

Our latest key hires bring an amazing range of skills and experience to our team.

By Sonya Quick • March 24, 2023

Commentary

Bill requiring corporations to report emissions could backfire on Californians

Opponents of a bill reintroduced this year requiring large corporations to disclose their carbon emissions argue it could increase costs for California consumers and fail to promote transparency.

By Guest Commentary • March 24, 2023

WhatMatters

Can a suicide hotline help California’s Native Americans?

From 2018 to 2021, 109 Native Americans took their own lives in California. Can the new national hotline help save some lives? This week in Sacramento, Assemblymember James Ramos, a member of the Serrano/Cahuilla tribe who is the first Native American to be elected to the state Assembly, partnered with Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services […]

By Lynn La • March 24, 2023

Commentary

Western water crisis solutions inevitably end with a lot less for California farms

The water crisis in the West and the decline of the Colorado River are going to require painful changes for Southern California farms, and a lot less water.

By Jim Newton • March 23, 2023