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A nonprofit, nonpartisan newsroom committed to explaining California policy and politics.
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CalMatters en Español
Las políticas públicas y las leyes de California, explicadas.
POLITICS AND THE CAPITOL
PROJECT SPOTLIGHT
RecALL 2021
2021 Recall Voter Guide
What you need to know to decide your vote in the Sept. 14 recall election
Commentary
Recall election is another assault on Black voters
The same forces pushing Black voter suppression efforts in Georgia, Texas and other states are bankrolling the recall in California.
ENVIRONMENT
California’s Drought Crisis
A CalMatters series investigates what’s improved and what’s worsened since the last drought — and vividly portrays the impacts on California’s places and people.
PROJECT SPOTLIGHT
Commentary
Investment in Delta tunnel, Sites Reservoir will ensure water supply
Water agencies need to invest in infrastructure and plan for drought to diversify their water supply portfolio and increase reliability.
CALIFORNIA DIVIDE
A statewide media collaboration to raise awareness about poverty and income inequality through in-depth journalism and community outreach.
EDUCATION
College Journalism Network
The network brings together student journalists from across the state to collaborate on group reporting projects, pitch and write stories for CalMatters and our media partners, and receive training.
College Beat
College Beat is produced by the CalMatters College Journalism Network, a collaboration between CalMatters and student journalists across the state.
Commentary
Outdated Cal Grant needs an overhaul for equitable outcomes
A comprehensive proposal to reform the Cal Grant program addresses the racial disparities in the current financial aid system.
California needs to offer free meals to all students
Children across California need the governor and California lawmakers to make smart, equitable investments in free school meals.
We need greater diversity in STEM education
It is vital that we bring in more STEM educators of color like me to be a role model and a guide for our students.
COMMENTARY
My Turn
Budget surplus can smooth the path to higher education
Canceling administrative fees and penalties at state’s colleges and universities would remove stumbling blocks for vulnerable students.
DAN WALTERS
Newsom scores big recall win. What now?
Gov. Gavin Newsom turned back a recall drive with a landslide of supportive votes. So what now?
We want to hear from you!
Want to submit a guest commentary or reaction to an article we wrote? You can find our submission guidelines here. For questions, please email commentary@calmatters.org or call (916) 234-3081.
HOUSING
Commentary
The one element missing from the discussion of housing: Tolerance
If living in a home with a garden is your thing, you probably shouldn’t expect Californian tolerance from a certain group of people.
ECONOMY
Yoga classes, therapy and 401(k)s: California businesses beefing up benefits to attract workers
California businesses are responding to a labor shortage with social media pleas, hiring incentives, bonuses and new benefits. So far, workers, particularly in the service industry, are seeing wages rise.
Commentary
It’s time to safely reopen California and reject policies that will slow recovery
Supporting laws for premium pay pushed by special interests will force store closures, job losses and a higher cost of living for everyone.
JUSTICE
Commentary
Put legal aid in reach of all Californians
The state should build on South Dakota’s model for ensuring that those with civil law issues don’t have to go it alone.
HEALTH
Commentary
In the Bay Area and beyond, racial justice starts with birth justice
Five Bay Area counties have come together to launch a new public awareness campaign: #DeliverBirthJustice.
WHATMATTERS NEWSLETTER
Follow the latest news on your California government, delivered to your inbox weekday mornings
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 ends most single-family zoning
Good morning, California. It’s Friday, September 17. Newsom takes new tack Actions speak louder than words. It’s a message that Gov. Gavin Newsom appears to be trying to send to voters after defeating an attempt to oust him from office — and with yet another […]
