Emily Hoeven

WhatMatters

Latest unemployment scandal: State paid inmates $1B in fraudulent claims

California may have paid up to $1 billion in fraudulent unemployment claims filed on behalf of prison and jail inmates in what prosecutors are calling “the most significant fraud on taxpayer funds in California history.” The state paid more than 35,000 claims under state prisoners’ names, with one inmate collecting nearly $49,000, a group of […]

By Emily Hoeven • November 25, 2020

WhatMatters

As COVID soars, a chaotic moment for California, a dire one for restaurants

As Thanksgiving approaches, the mood in California isn’t too festive. Los Angeles County, which will ban outdoor dining starting Wednesday, is considering another stay-at-home-order that would bar residents from leaving their homes unless they’re essential workers or accessing essential services. Ninety-four percent of California residents are currently under a curfew, and more could join them […]

By Emily Hoeven • November 24, 2020

WhatMatters

CA could stick ‘Team Biden’ firm with $35M bill

Good morning, California. It’s Monday, November 23. Padilla vs. Yee Remember the controversial $35 million contract that Secretary of State Alex Padilla’s office awarded to a public affairs firm tied to Joe Biden’s presidential campaign? The firm, SKDKnickerbocker, was tasked with leading a statewide campaign explaining new pandemic voting procedures. But California hasn’t paid the […]

By Emily Hoeven • November 23, 2020

Politics

Will state stick ‘Team Biden’ firm with $35 million tab after Yee balks at Padilla vote contract?

Documents obtained by CalMatters reveal a behind-the-scenes look at a controversial no-bid contract — and a showdown between two of California's most ambitious politicians.

By Emily Hoeven • November 23, 2020

WhatMatters

Most of California under curfew

Good morning, California. It’s Friday, November 20. Limited lockdown Starting Saturday night, nearly all Californians will be subject to a curfew aimed at curbing a statewide surge in coronavirus infections. Under the terms of the “limited stay-at-home order” Gov. Gavin Newsom unveiled Thursday, nonessential work and gatherings will be prohibited between 10 p.m. and 5 […]

By Emily Hoeven • November 20, 2020

WhatMatters

California’s $26B surplus raises tough choices

Good morning, California. It’s Thursday, November 19. Spend or save? Even with a rosier-than-expected budget forecast, Gov. Gavin Newsom and state lawmakers have some hard choices ahead of them. Wealthy Californians who made financial gains amid the pandemic and a booming stock market helped the state reap $26 billion in one-time surplus funds, according to […]

By Emily Hoeven • November 19, 2020

WhatMatters

Is California prepared for shutdown #3?

Good morning, California. It’s Wednesday, November 18. State of the state As California enters its third shutdown of the pandemic, is it better prepared to tamp down the spread of the virus — and handle the economic fallout — than it was when Gov. Gavin Newsom initiated prior lockdowns in March and July? Here’s a […]

By Emily Hoeven • November 18, 2020

WhatMatters

Newsom considers statewide curfew

Good morning, California. It’s Tuesday, November 17. Reopening on pause Gov. Gavin Newsom found himself in the unusual position Monday of apologizing for flouting his administration’s public health guidelines even as he directed massive swaths of California’s economy to close down under the most restrictive statewide order since July. Citing California’s fastest increase yet in […]

By Emily Hoeven • November 17, 2020

WhatMatters

A grim coronavirus picture

Good morning, California. It’s Monday, November 16. More shutdowns? Here we go again. As Thanksgiving approaches, California is racking up a series of grim statistics. On Thursday, it became the second state to surpass 1 million coronavirus cases — the same day it recorded more new infections than all but nine other days of the […]

By Emily Hoeven • November 16, 2020

WhatMatters

2020 rematches on 2022 ballot?

Good morning, California. It’s Friday, November 13. Some fights aren’t over California still has 1.2 million votes left to count from last week’s election, but the 2022 ballot is already taking shape — and some potential measures may fight 2020 battles all over again. When voters approved Proposition 22 — exempting Uber and Lyft from […]

By Emily Hoeven • November 13, 2020