Explainers

California’s budget whiplash: From a record-setting surplus to a massive shortfall in one year

When budget season arrived in 2022, state lawmakers enjoyed the excitement and possibilities over how to spend a record $97.5 billion budget surplus, a shocking figure coming at the end of a bruising COVID-19 pandemic. But the two ensuing years have played out like a mirror universe as the state stares down a budget deficit […]

By

John Osborn D'Agostino

and

Jeremia Kimelman

• June 12, 2023

El Capitolio estatal en Sacramento el 17 de noviembre de 2022. Foto de Miguel Gutierrez Jr., CalMatters

CalMatters en Español

Un vistazo al Capitolio del estado de California: cómo funciona su gobierno

Read this explainer in English. Desde el principio, ha habido un gobierno estatal. Incluso antes de que existiera un gobierno federal, hubo una colección de estados organizados bajo los Artículos de la Confederación en 1781. Pero las 13 entidades separadas con diferentes intereses pronto se dieron cuenta de que necesitaban un organismo global para hacer […]

By

Sameea Kamal

and

Jeremia Kimelman

• January 5, 2023

The state Capitol in Sacramento on Nov. 17, 2022. Photo by Miguel Gutierrez Jr., CalMatters

Explainers

Inside the California Capitol: How your state government works

But how much do you really know about how California’s state government works? CalMatters answers many of the most important questions in this explainer.

By

Sameea Kamal

and

Jeremia Kimelman

• January 3, 2023

Illustration by Miguel Gutierrez Jr., CalMatters; iStock

Explainers

What are the most interesting new laws for California in 2023?

Here are some of the most interesting new laws that take effect in California for 2023, including ones on money, health and education.

By

CalMatters Staff

• January 2, 2023

CalMatters en Español

Las leyes más interesantes que vienen para California en 2023

Read this explainer in English. En 2022, la Legislatura de California aprobó casi 1,200 proyectos de ley, y casi 1,000 se convirtieron en ley con la firma del gobernador Gavin Newsom. Muchas de las nuevas leyes son correcciones menores a leyes que los legisladores y el gobernador promulgaron anteriormente. Otras son más bien reducidas o […]

By

CalMatters Staff

• January 2, 2023

Elections

California election results: The most interesting numbers

After a flurry of called races, victories proclaimed and concessions offered across 52 congressional districts, 100 state Assembly and Senate contests, nine statewide races for constitutional offices and seven propositions on the California ballot, it can be hard to wrap your head around what exactly happened. Fortunately, we’ve boiled it down to a few pictures […]

By

Ben Christopher

• November 18, 2022