California Divide
Stolen Time: Portraits of Californians living through wage theft claims
This photo essay documents the toll of the fight for workers who have made wage theft claims in California.
How hungry is California? Millions struggle to eat well in an abundant state
How bad is California hunger? A lot depends on your access to food aid, which expanded during the COVID-19 pandemic but is being reduced.
California Divide
‘When they took the foundation, everything started crumbling’: California group fights eminent domain, racism
Where is My Land aims to help Black families regain property, sometimes decades after a government takes it. Though hundreds seek this help, founder Kavon Ward says her group focuses on a few cases at a time.
California Divide
To fight wage theft California gets strong assist from worker centers
As California investigates businesses for wage theft, worker centers act as behind-the-scenes allies, helping convince employees to cooperate.
California Divide
Poverty drops in California but only because of child tax credit, COVID relief funds
If you haven’t filed for a child tax credit, now’s the time to do it. A deadline approaches.
California Divide
A Workers’ Guide to Wage Theft: What to do if your boss steals your wages
If your paycheck isn’t right, the state or federal government could help, but it may take some research, records and patience on your part.
California Divide
Though wage theft is a crime, few California DAs file charges for it
Some prosecutors say that may change. They are partnering with the state on more wage cases or forming special units to pursue labor abuses as crimes. A new felony law could help, they say.
California Divide
Agency battling wage theft in California is too short-staffed to do its job
The state is a national leader in labor law, experts say, but its agency enforcing wage theft rules in California still struggles to staff up.
California Divide
‘I’m already stressing out’: Families to face bigger bills for subsidized child care as California ends waivers
For the last two years, some families who receive subsidized child care got a waiver from the fees they pay to participate. But the waiver will end next year after Gov. Gavin Newsom vetoed a bill that would have extended it, citing an expected decrease in state revenue.
California Divide
State withdraws plans to limit California LifeLine internet and cell phone discount for low-income users
Assembly members and disgruntled Californians urged the California Public Utilities Commission to keep low-income subsidies as is.
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Newsom signs bill making family leave affordable to more workers
The bill increases leave payments to 90% of paychecks for lower-income workers in 2025, so more of them can afford time off for maternity leave or to care for ill family members.