Explainers

Environment

CALmatters Explains: California’s War on Climate Change

What happens when California—a state that is responsible for about 1 percent of the world's greenhouse gases—goes all-in on climate change.

By

Byrhonda Lyons

and

Julie Cart

• September 10, 2018

The State Capitol in Sacramento, California, September 10, 2015. California Bills.

Explainers

Last stop: On these 2018 California bills, it’s the governor’s call

In the final days of California's 2018 legislative session, hundreds of bills landed on the governor's desk. We're tracking the fate of the most consequential here.

By

CalMatters Staff

• September 1, 2018

Explainers

The open secret about California taxes

California’s tax system, which relies heavily on the wealthy for state income, is prone to boom-and-bust cycles. Here's what you need to know.

By

Judy Lin

• May 8, 2018

Explainers

Single-payer health care: what Californians need to know

California's Democratic lawmakers are pondering ways to lay the groundwork for a single-payer health care system in the state. Supporters say such a system would cover everyone, streamline an unwieldy bureaucracy and bring down costs. Opponents say it could lead to unacceptably high taxes, a flight of doctors to other states and a rationing of care as patients’ needs overwhelm providers. We explain.

By

Elizabeth Aguilera

• March 19, 2018

Explainers

Retirement Debt: What’s the problem and how does it affect you?

The cost of retirement benefits for public employees from California's state state and local governments and schools and colleges has more than tripled since 2003—putting so much pressure on government budgets that many are having to choose between service cuts and raising taxes. We explain the forces at work.

By

Judy Lin

• February 21, 2018

Explainers

California Burning

After a particularly wet rainy season fueled growth of lush vegetation, the sweltering summer of 2017 dried those plants to a crackly, combustible crunch. Several locales had racked up record temperatures, including a historic thermometer high of 106 in San Francisco on Sept. 1. Wildfires were an inevitable consequence, but none so fierce as October's infernos that consumed vast swaths of the state's iconic Wine Country.

By

Ben Christopher

and

Judy Lin

• October 18, 2017

Explainers

Rising Seas: What you need to know about the danger lapping at California’s shores

Addressing sea-level rise will cost a staggering sum of public and private money, and will particularly impact the poor and vulnerable. A look at the challenge California faces, and how the state is responding.

By

Julie Cart

• October 17, 2017

Explainers

Last stop: On these 2017 bills, it’s the governor’s call

In the final days of the session, hundreds of bills landed on Brown’s desk. Here are some of the most consequential.

By

CalMatters Staff

• September 16, 2017