California Divide

SB 93 guarantees about 700,000 laid-off housekeepers, cooks, waiters and bartenders an opportunity to return to their jobs.

Welfare advocates say California places low-income and minority parents in insurmountable debt by garnishing child support payments and imposing high interest rates when they fall behind on payments, keeping a larger-than-average portion for itself. The director of the agency overseeing child support says state changes would require legislative action, but meaningful changes have failed to gain traction at the Capitol.

With two months left before California’s eviction moratorium ends June 30, political momentum isn’t on the side of tenants for an extension.

Lawmakers have more money and political will, but the telecommunications industry could still stand in the way of broadband for all Californians.

Combining data from agencies that oversee telecommunications companies and schools, CalMatters built a database of broadband adoption and availability estimates in K-12 school neighborhoods for most of California.

As millions of Californians finish a frustrating “virtual” school year plagued by tech glitches, a CalMatters data analysis exposes affordability as a key barrier to broadband access, for rural and urban students.

A study finds people who didn’t file tax returns in the last three years could be missing out on federal and state stimulus dollars. But they still have a chance to claim some assistance ahead of the May 17 tax deadline.

Alonso and his wife have been unable to afford rent during the pandemic. They share a one-bedroom apartment with their four children.

It could be mid-May or later before some child care providers get state stipends promised to them as part of a coronavirus relief package. Providers worry they may not be able to hold out that long.