2023

Commentary

Successful reading skills upgrade offers a lesson for California politicians

A new study found that spending $53 million on upgrading the reading skills of third graders had a positive effect. It's a lesson that politicians should heed.

By Dan Walters • December 6, 2023

Inside the Newsroom

CalMatters adds six new board members

CalMatters welcomes six new board members who will provide strategic guidance and oversight to the nonprofit newsroom.

By Kate Looby • December 5, 2023

CalMatters en Español

California otorgó una ayuda de emergencia de $50 millones a un hospital en quiebra pero este aún lucha por reabrir sus puertas

Read this story in English. El fondo especial de emergencia de California para hospitales con dificultades financieras probablemente no habría sido aprobado por la Legislatura este año si no hubiera sido por el fracaso de un hospital rural junto a la autopista 99 en el Valle de San Joaquín. La quiebra y el cierre del […]

By Ana B. Ibarra • December 5, 2023

Commentary

Ticket resellers have upended live music. California must restore power for artists and fans

Industrialized, third-party resellers have upended the live entertainment ecosystem in California with harmful tactics that hurt fans and artists alike. A proposed reform would rightly ban some of the worst practices.

By Jordan Bromley • December 5, 2023

Health

California threw a $50 million lifeline to a bankrupt hospital. It’s scrambling to reopen

Earlier this year, the state created a loan program meant to help struggling hospitals stay afloat and to help reopen Madera County’s only hospital. Almost a year after its closure, Madera continues its search for a buyer or partner.

By Ana B. Ibarra • December 5, 2023

CalMatters en Español

Entrevista: La presidente del Comité Laboral de la Asamblea da prioridad a las mujeres y a los trabajadores con experiencia

Read this story in English. El 22 de noviembre, el presidente de la Asamblea, Robert Rivas, nombró nuevos líderes en la Legislatura estatal, incluidas 23 mujeres líderes de varios comités de la Asamblea, incluidas 14 mujeres de color. En esa lista se incluye la asambleísta Liz Ortega , quien encabezará el comité laboral luego de un […]

By Alejandra Reyes-Velarde • December 5, 2023

California Divide

Q&A: Assembly’s Labor committee chair prioritizes women, senior workers

With nine months' experience in the Assembly, Liz Ortega will lead the Labor committee after a strike-filled summer and several wins for low-wage workers.

By Alejandra Reyes-Velarde • December 5, 2023

Commentary

Economic reality bites as Newsom faces a big California budget problem

California Gov. Gavin Newsom declared that the state's economy is "booming" in a recent debate. A new report shows that it is actually slowing, and that the governor faces a huge budget problem as income tax revenues lag behind.

By Dan Walters • December 5, 2023

Higher Education

Cal State union stages first of one-day strikes over faculty salaries

The California Faculty Association is seeking a 12% pay increase, while university officials counter with 5% in each of the next three years.

By Mikhail Zinshteyn • December 4, 2023

CalMatters en Español

La Patrulla Fronteriza liberó a 42,000 inmigrantes en las calles de San Diego y ahora los grupos de apoyo luchan por brindarles ayuda

Read this story in English. Una noche de finales de septiembre, el reverendo Brad Mills se sorprendió al escuchar un golpe en las puertas de su parroquia. Su pequeña iglesia de San Diego no solía recibir visitantes después de las horas de misa.  Dos hombres venezolanos en la puerta dijeron que necesitaban ayuda y buscaban […]

By Justo Robles, Alejandra Reyes-Velarde and Wendy Fry • December 4, 2023