Economy

Vehicles head westbound on route 580 toward Oakland on July 22, 2019

Economy

California contradiction: Ban gas cars later, but cushion gas prices now?

California has invested heavily in switching away from gas-powered cars to meet its climate goals. Now Gov. Newsom has proposed sending out checks to car owners to help with the price of gas. That move wouldn’t necessarily prop up demand for gas — economists say people may use the money to buy other things.

By

Grace Gedye

• March 28, 2022

A Valero gas station in Sacramento on Feb. 22, 2022. Photo by Miguel Gutierrez Jr., CalMatters

Economy

Gas money: Is it better to send out checks or suspend a tax?

State lawmakers have several proposals for sending checks to people to help with the increased cost of gas. One-time checks would be especially helpful for people with lower incomes, economists and policy experts said. Republicans are pushing to temporarily suspend the state gas tax to reduce the price of gas.

By

Grace Gedye

• March 24, 2022

A Valero gas station in Sacramento on March 10, 2022. Photo by Miguel Gutierrez Jr., CalMatters

Economy

Here’s how state lawmakers want to help Californians facing high gas prices

Gov. Gavin Newsom proposed pausing tax increase on gas sellers and Republican state lawmakers have pushed for suspending the tax entirely in the short term. Those plans would likely reduce the price of gas, but it’s not clear by how much. Newsom also teased a possible rebate to deal with gas prices, and a group of Assemblymembers proposed sending $400 to each California taxpayer.

By

Grace Gedye

• March 11, 2022

Julia Elliott prepares slices of pizza for customers at Nabolom Bakery in Berkeley on Jan. 19, 2022. Photo by Martin do Nascimento, CalMatters

Economy

California unemployment debt: How to dig out of a $20 billion hole?

California has almost $20 billion of debt from the surge in unemployment claims during the pandemic, more than any other state. One reason is California’s higher unemployment rate; another is that employer taxes haven’t kept up with increasing benefits. Now, employers will see an automatic tax increase to start paying off the debt, and Newsom has proposed spending $3 billion in state funds to reduce the debt.

By

Grace Gedye

• March 4, 2022

Corporate staff during a meeting in an office. Photo via iStock/Getty Images

Economy

What if California’s women on boards law is overturned?

A state law that requires California companies to have women on their boards is facing a legal challenge in Los Angeles, where a trial concluded Wednesday. Since the law passed in 2018, the share of women on boards has increased from 15.5% to 29%.

By

Grace Gedye

• February 17, 2022

Luna Walker bags chocolate croissants for patrons at Nabolom Bakery in Berkeley on Jan. 19, 2022. Photo by Martin do Nascimento, CalMatters

Economy

New COVID sick leave leaves out at least 1 in 4 California workers

A new law will give most California workers up to 80 hours of COVID-related sick leave. But workers at small businesses, who make the lowest wages, won’t be covered under the new plan.

By

Grace Gedye

• February 8, 2022

Signs indicating the closure of the permit office in San Jose City Hall due to the Omicron surge on Jan. 27, 2022. Photo by Martin do Nascimento, CalMatters

Economy

The omicron effect: What happens when city halls and state agencies close their doors?

Hampered by worker illnesses and pandemic restrictions, government offices are getting creative. Obtaining building permits, paying bills and other services have moved online. But what about residents who don’t have computer access?

By

Julie Cart

• January 28, 2022

A volunteer barber cuts an unhoused person's hair at Trinity Church in Riverside. Those who are unhoused come once a week to the church where they are offered haircuts, clothes, food and a shower. Raquel Natalicchio for CalMatters

Economy

Will worker shortage disrupt California homeless strategy?

Burnout and COVID is causing California homeless service workers to leave. Low pay makes it difficult to recruit new ones. But they're essential to the state's plans to reduce homelessness.

By

Manuela Tobias

• January 27, 2022

People wait in line for a COVID-19 test at a mobile testing site in Paramount on Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2022. Photo by Jae C. Hong, AP Photo

Politics

What’s in the California paid sick leave deal for workers and businesses?

Gov. Gavin Newsom and legislative leaders agree to restore California paid sick leave for COVID-19. Here's what you need to know.

By

Sameea Kamal

• January 25, 2022

C Transit driver Brandi Donaldson is photographed at a bus stop near her home in Rodeo on Jan. 24, 2022. Photo by Martin do Nascimento/CalMatters

Coronavirus

Transit worker shortage ripples through California economy

So many employees are sick with COVID or scared to come into work that it's disrupting public transit service. That is having an impact on the workforce and the economy.

By

Sameea Kamal

• January 25, 2022