California Divide

Covering income inequality across the state

Families carry boxes full of fresh produce during a food bank event at El Verano elementary on Nov. 1, 2019. Photo by Anne Wernikoff, CalMatters

How hungry is California? Millions struggle to eat well in an abundant state

How bad is California hunger? A lot depends on your access to food aid, which expanded during the COVID-19 pandemic but is being reduced.

Rya Jetha

Jeanne Kuang

and

Jeremia Kimelman

Jovan Houston, an airport employee, at the Los Angeles International Airport on May 10, 2023. Photo by Lauren Justice for CalMatters

California Divide

Tourism workers seek $25 minimum wage before Olympics, World Cup in Los Angeles

An L.A. City Councilmember proposes upping the minimum wage for airport and hotel workers to $25 an hour and raising it each year until it reaches $30 in 2028. Businesses are balking.

Alejandra Reyes-Velarde

• June 1, 2023

Local residents walk by damaged belongings after numerous rain storms known as "atmospheric river" flooded a residential area, in Pajaro March 29, 2023. Photo by Carlos Barria, REUTERS

California Divide

California to send $95 million to undocumented flooding victims – months after promising ‘rapid response’

Gov. Gavin Newsom in March said state relief would soon help flood victims who don’t qualify for federal emergency relief. The state has yet to name nonprofits that will dole out the aid.

Nicole Foy

• May 31, 2023

A for rent sign in Sacramento on June 28, 2022. Photo by Miguel Gutierrez Jr., CalMatters

California Divide

A break for renters? California considers reining in high security deposits

A bill would hold security deposits to one month’s rent, not three. The California Apartment Association says it could drive up rents, making it harder to find a home.

Alejandra Reyes-Velarde

• May 31, 2023

Gladys Balcazar in her apartment in Imperial Beach on April 18, 2023. Balcazar, who puts 83% of her income toward rent, is a single mom living with her son who has a disability. Photo by Ariana Drehsler for CalMatters

California Divide

Corporate landlord’s California buying spree alarms tenants: ‘I only earn enough to pay the rent’

Two years ago, Blackstone bought 66 relatively low-rent apartment buildings in San Diego County from a charitable foundation. Tenants of those 5,800 dwellings say they see rent increases, maintenance issues and evictions in their futures.

Alejandro Lazo

and

Wendy Fry

• May 24, 2023

Monita Porter, deputy director of Fresno Metro Black Chamber of Commerce, stands in downtown Fresno on March 15, 2023. Photo by Larry Valenzuela, CalMatters/CatchLight Local

California Divide

Can Fresno bridge its economic divide? California’s millions boost Black businesses, ag tech

Fresno is one of the most economically distressed and unequal regions in California. Fresno DRIVE, a public-private effort, is starting to boost minority businesses, agricultural technology, and other initiatives.

Nicole Foy

• May 23, 2023

A warehouse worker sorts packages at an Amazon fulfillment center on Nov. 11, 2010. Photo by Ross D. Franklin, AP Photo

California Divide

‘God only knows how many workers have suffered and died’: Employees urge Cal/OSHA to set indoor heat rules

Workers from a variety of industries urged Cal/OSHA's board to quickly pass new rules for hot, indoor workplaces.

Nicole Foy

• May 19, 2023

VistAbility worker Karla Marquez packs envelopes with BART Clipper card information while working at VistAbility in Concord on April 27, 2023. VistAbility employs and trains people with developmental disabilities. Photo by Shelby Knowles for CalMatters

California Divide

Can California find better paying jobs for people with disabilities?

A new state law aims to ensure workers with disabilities earn at least minimum wage. But some worry that the state doesn’t have enough resources to help these workers compete for jobs.

Jeanne Kuang

• May 10, 2023

A Reparations Task Force Meeting at San Diego State on Jan. 28, 2023. Photo by Ariana Drehsler, CalMatters

California Divide

California Reparations Calculator: How much does a state panel say I’m owed?

The California reparations task force created economic models for lawmakers to calculate the costs of racism in California. Try our interactive tool to see what an individual might be owed.

Wendy Fry

and

Erica Yee

• May 10, 2023

Walter Forster, a Los Angeles resident, holds a sign that advocates for financial compensation during the California Reparations Task Force meeting that was held at the California Science Center in Los Angeles on Sept. 23, 2022. Photo by Pablo Unzueta for CalMatters

California Divide

Reparations panel recommends possible millions for eligible Black Californians

A task force approved economic models for lawmakers to calculate the costs of historical racism in California. Try our interactive tool to see what is owed.

Wendy Fry

• May 8, 2023

Reparations task force members listen during the public comment portion of a December 14, 2022 meeting in Oakland on reparations proposals for African Americans. Photo by Martin do Nascimento, CalMatters

California Divide

California reparations task force to recommend ‘down payments’ for slavery, racism

The reparations task force meets Saturday in Oakland. It may vote to recommend a state apology and payments to African Americans based on years living in state.

Wendy Fry

• May 1, 2023