Fast food workers from across California rallied at the state Capitol in Sacramento, urging lawmakers to pass AB 257. Aug. 16, 2022, Photo by Rahul Lal, CalMatters

California Divide

Covering income inequality across the state

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California’s gap between rich and poor is among the largest in the country, and it is widening. We explore how income inequality is reverberating across the state.

California Divide
“Wait, you don’t have data on that?” Where California flies data-blind
It seems like a simple question: How many African-American boys scored proficient on California’s math test? Go ahead, try to answer it. I’ll wait while you Google. You’ll probably end up here, at the California Department of Education’s snazzy (by state government standards) website, which provides a litany of bar graphs, charts and filters to […]
By • April 19, 2017
A divide between the fortunes of California's haves and have-nots has fueled more than a decade's worth of economic anxiety, reflected again in a new poll. File photo of Oakland inequality protest by Brian Sims via Creative Commons.
California Divide
California’s rich-poor gap: The reality may surprise you
Where in California has the gap between rich and poor grown most since the Great Recession? The Bay Area, home of your Zuckerbergs and Steyers and some of the most expensive zip codes in the country, seems like a logical answer. Over the past decade, what other part of California has minted as many members […]
By • August 11, 2016
California Divide
Fueling the dreams of the undocumented
When 27-year-old Juan Valentin became old enough to get behind the wheel, a friend gave him driving lessons in the agricultural fields surrounding Stockton. As an undocumented immigrant from Tijuana, Mexico, Valentin spent the next 10 years driving without a license. In order to get to school or to work, he felt he had little […]
By • June 12, 2016
California Divide
Paying by the mile to fix potholes
California is experimenting with a new way to raise money for road repairs by keeping track of the mileage of cars and trucks with stickers or electronics. A large-scale system won’t happen for many years, but officials say it may be needed because the influx of fuel-efficient or electric cars will shrink revenue from the […]
By • December 12, 2015
California Divide
Long neglected road maintenance is now urgent and expensive
California lawmakers are struggling to climb out of a deep hole. The gas tax that supports road repairs ranks among the highest in the country but the state has some of the worst roads in America. A recent report from the state Senate said 68 percent of California roads are in poor or mediocre condition, […]
By • December 12, 2015

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News and analysis on poverty and income inequality in California.
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