California Economy | CalMatters

Window with a closed sign due to the closure of almost all businesses amid the Coronavirus outbreak, Downtown Los Angeles, April 11 2020. Photo by Ana M Amortegui via iStock

Filing for unemployment? Here’s how California is scrambling to respond

by Lauren Hepler and Stephen Council July 30, 2020July 30, 2020

More than 7.6 million Californians have filed for unemployment benefits since the pandemic triggered a recession. Navigating the assistance program has been filled with frustration.

An all-electric Proterra bus operated by San Joaquin Regional Transit District, shown beside its "Fast Charging" station. Image via Creative Commons. California’s clean-air programs take a hit in new funding cuts.

Exclusive: California’s clean-air programs take a hit in new funding squeeze

by Rachel Becker July 30, 2020July 30, 2020

Court bans “abusive” spiking, but sticks with pension protections

by Ben Christopher July 30, 2020July 30, 2020

Homes in Bombay Beach, a community along at the Salton Sea in Imperial County. Photo by Sasha Abramsky, Capital & Main

Exclusive: California county with highest COVID death rate violated court rules for evictions

by Matt Levin July 29, 2020July 29, 2020

The coronavirus has played havoc with California's economy, state Democrats to consider exploiting a loophole to expand jobless benefits. Image via iStockmage via iStock

If feds let jobless benefits drop, California Dems may “backdoor borrow” to extend them

by Ben Christopher July 28, 2020July 28, 2020

Farmworkers around the Watsonville community pick strawberries as the Watsonville Campesino Appreciation Caravan passes through on Tuesday, May 5, 2020. Today, Gov. Newsom announced a new housing program for farmworkers that will provide hotel rooms for those who need to isolate due to COVID-19. Photo by David Rodriguez, The Salinas Californian

Newsom signals more protections coming for essential workers, including hotel rooms for farmworkers

by Barbara Feder Ostrov July 24, 2020July 29, 2020

Guests dine on Glassell Street outside of Citrus City Grill and Smoqued California Barbecue in Orange on July 8, 2020 after the city closed off sections of Glassell Street to allow restaurants in Old Towne Orange to offer outdoor dining on the sidewalk and streets to comply with the state’s COVID-19 guidelines. Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG

From internet rights to streeteries, how the pandemic is changing working from home

by Elizabeth Castillo July 21, 2020July 22, 2020

Food security, ability to pay rent and loss of low-wage jobs are three areas where economic disparities in California are most visible amid the coronavirus pandemic. Photos by Anne Wernikoff for CalMatters

How COVID is deepening California’s income inequality in 5 charts

by Jackie Botts July 20, 2020July 29, 2020

Closures and false starts have been harsh for California business owners and employees seeking stability. Image via iStock

After more coronavirus closures, how deep will California’s recession go?

by Lauren Hepler July 16, 2020July 24, 2020

State health officials took control of the Rose Garden and Legacy Healthcare nursing homes in Pasadena after learning that the home's operator couldn't pay rent or staff, as the coronavirus pandemic loomed.. Photo by Karlene Goller for CalMatters

The gathering storm: How the state seized control of two troubled nursing homes as coronavirus crisis loomed

by Barbara Feder Ostrov July 15, 2020July 23, 2020