Economy

Three people sit around a table in an office meeting room with laptops in front of them. One person is looking at their computer while the other two look at a television screen with two people other people in a video meeting call.

Economy

A new California law bans your boss from ordering you to attend anti-union meetings

Gov. Newsom and legislative Democrats pushed through a law that bans employers from requiring workers to attend ‘captive audience meetings.’ It was the latest victory for the labor movement at the state Capitol.

By

Jeanne Kuang

• December 17, 2024

A student in welding mask and other safety gear welds a piece of metal in a work station in a college classroom.

Higher Education

Here’s how California plans to get millions of adults without college degrees into better jobs

Gov. Gavin Newsom’s “Master Plan for Career Education” seeks to help the more than 7 million adults in California who lack college degrees by giving them college credit for their work experience and by changing the requirements on some state jobs.

By

Adam Echelman

• December 16, 2024

People sit on chairs and tables set up outside a restaurant in a busy area of downtown San Diego.

Economy

Cannabis cafes and entertainment zones among new laws for 2025

The state is allowing more on-street alcohol sales and food in cannabis lounges. Supporters say the laws will boost downtown economies.

By

CalMatters Staff

• December 16, 2024

A person in working overalls uses a chainsaw to cut into a tree trunk in a park. Debris from concrete slabs and a chopped-down tree surround the person as they work in a park.

Economy

California got millions to train workers in disaster relief, but it’s leaving money on table

When disaster strikes, California gets federal funding to hire temporary workers to clean debris. But the jobs are tough, and some agencies struggle to manage the grants.

By

Adam Echelman

• December 13, 2024

Illustration of a silhouette of a person wearing a hard hat, crouched and sitting inside an orange prescription bottle

Economy

Fewer California workers were dying on the job. Then fentanyl happened

Employers and unions are grappling with the opioid crisis, while the state inches toward requiring Narcan in workplaces.

By

Jeanne Kuang

and

Jeremia Kimelman

• December 11, 2024

An overhead view of a person with blonde hair sitting in a chair looking at a computer on a desk filled with various papers.

Economy

California’s employment safety net is still broken. Will anyone fix it?

Out-of-work residents fight new fraud battles. The system bleeds money. And a $1 billion technology overhaul marches on.

By

Lauren Hepler

• December 4, 2024

People wearing yellow and orange safety vest and white hard hats work on a trench to lay underground electric cables.

Environment

Californians pay billions for power companies’ wildfire prevention efforts. Are they cost-effective?

After utility equipment sparked tragic wildfires, PG&E, SCE and SDG&E received state approval to collect $27 billion from ratepayers. As California electric bills soar, questions have emerged about oversight and costs.

By

Alejandro Lazo

• December 3, 2024

A collage-style illustration in red and yellow hues with various visuals related to housing and rent, including: a house, an apartment building, a Google maps screenshot, a "for rent" sign, a key, a line graph, rent prices, an arrow pointing up and a legal document.

Technology

Landlords are using AI to raise rents — and California cities are leading the pushback

California and federal prosecutors have accused software company RealPage of enriching itself ”at the expense of renters who pay inflated prices."

By

Wendy Fry

• December 2, 2024

Metal and wood scaffolding frames the corner of a building under construction. Two workers wearing bright orange safety vests and helmets are working on the building. The frame is a close image of the building.

Economy

Trump’s deportations could cost California ‘hundreds of billions of dollars.’ Here’s how

Some sectors, like agriculture, will be hit directly. Many more could feel the ripple effects.

By

Levi Sumagaysay

• November 26, 2024

A person in a suit speaks at a podium labeled "GOOD-PAYING JOBS," gesturing with one hand. Behind them, two individuals stand near informational boards with text and graphics. The setting appears to be an indoor event space with industrial lighting.

Economy

Gavin Newsom vows to ‘leave no region behind’ on California jobs

Gov. Newsom touts the first of 13 regional plans to boost economic development across the state, which will go into a statewide blueprint to be released in January.

By

Levi Sumagaysay

• November 21, 2024