Newsletters

Describing the homelessness crisis as the “biggest scar in the reputation” of California, Gov. Gavin Newsom warned counties last week that he would redirect money if he did not see “demonstrable results” over removing homeless encampments. The governor’s warning follows his July executive order that directed state agencies to adopt policies to clear camps on […]

Dear Inequality Insights reader, About 10 years ago, the California Public Utilities Commission decided they should stop requesting Social Security numbers from low-income residents applying to obtain subsidized cellphone service. Then, the commission never actually stopped requesting the information.  CalMatters Reporter Alejandra Reyes-Velarde reported in February that the cellphone program, California LifeLine, still excludes hundreds […]

Any time a California politician makes it to the national stage, the epithets follow: California radical, San Francisco liberal, etc. It’s happened to Gov. Gavin Newsom, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, the list goes on. But what if it’s the Democratic nominee for president and possibly the first woman to hold the nation’s highest office? […]

Sky-high rent is among Californians’ biggest concerns. Nearly 30% of tenants spend more than half their income on rent; and the median rent is $2,850 a month, 33% higher than the national average. Two propositions on the Nov. 5 ballot address this issue — though one does so in a rather roundabout way. The more […]

Democratic leaders’ public safety ballot measure flamed out when Gov. Gavin Newsom shockingly withdrew the proposal at the last minute. Now, legislators are pushing ahead with a retail theft bill package in their continued opposition of Proposition 36 — a November ballot measure backed by law enforcement groups and Republicans (and some Democrats) that would […]

On their first day back from summer recess, California lawmakers made clear that the budget crunch isn’t over.  The Senate appropriations committee sent dozens upon dozens of bills — that have a price tag of at least $50,000 to $150,000 and that may also be politically dicey — to the dreaded suspense file, where many […]

The California Legislature gets back to work today, starting a one-month sprint to adjournment on Aug. 31. Lawmakers have a lot to finish up: More than 1,300 bills are still in play, though many will not reach Gov. Gavin Newsom’s desk. One high-profile measure is Assembly Bill 1825, which would prohibit library review committees. As […]

Dear Inequality Insights reader, If state legislators don’t act fast, a program that protects children who immigrate to California by themselves will soon run out of funds. Without an attorney to represent them in immigration court, the vast majority of children are ordered removed. One minor helped by the project told us he was unable […]

Many landlords in California can only raise the rent a certain amount. Thursday, they — and their tenants — found out how high.  A 2019 law caps how much landlords can bump up rent, starting each Aug. 1: Either by 5% plus inflation, or by 10% (whichever is lower). In California, the average median rent […]

The November election is less than 100 days away, and CalMatters will have the lowdown on each of the ballot’s 10 propositions. Today we’re highlighting Proposition 32, which seeks to raise California’s minimum wage, as well as Prop. 35, which proposes to ensure that a tax on health care plans is spent on low-income patients. […]