WhatMatters

Amid pledges from Democratic legislative leaders to make California more affordable, there is persistent evidence that the state’s high cost of living won’t get better anytime soon.  The latest comes from California’s housing department, which recently released its annual report detailing how much households can earn in each of California’s 58 counties to be eligible […]

When Gov. Gavin Newsom laid out his revised state budget proposal last week, he emphasized how President Donald Trump and his administration made forecasting California’s economic future even harder. To see that chaotic uncertainty in action, all one needs to look at is the daily investment returns posted by the California Public Employees’ Retirement System. […]

From CalMatters politics reporter Yue Stella Yu:  In the state Legislature, an open rebellion sometimes does wonders.  Two weeks ago, Assemblymember Maggy Krell, a first-year Sacramento Democrat, publicly defied Democratic leaders in attempting to pass harsher penalties for soliciting sex from 16- and 17-year-olds. Joined by some moderate Democrats and Republicans, the fight laid bare […]

When Gov. Gavin Newsom released his preliminary $322 billion state budget plan in January, he projected a “modest surplus.” But many things have changed since then: A general economic slowdown in the U.S. economy; an estimated decline in income tax revenue due to the stock market fallout from President Donald Trump’s tariffs; and an unprecedented […]

Three months after first making the request, California’s largest insurer received approval Tuesday to temporarily raise its rates following the deadly Los Angeles County wildfires in January, writes CalMatters’ Levi Sumagaysay. Starting June 1, State Farm can hike up its rates by an average of 17% for homeowners, 15% for renters and condos and 38% […]

As Gov. Gavin Newsom pushes local governments to do more about removing homeless encampments across California, one of the state’s own agencies is being accused of not doing enough to clear illegal campsites, writes CalMatters’ Marisa Kendall. On Monday the governor issued a “model ordinance” that cities and counties should use to clear encampments. These […]

Though President Donald Trump has yet to explicitly order the Shasta Dam to be enlarged — something Republican lawmakers have been considering for decades — recent actions by his administration signal that he is moving in that direction.  As CalMatters’ Alastair Bland explains, the prospect of raising the dam underscores the ongoing dispute between farmers, environmentalists […]

Last week the Northern California beach town of Santa Cruz enacted a tax on sodas, ice teas and other beverages with added sugar. Voters approved the 2-cent-per-ounce tax in November, despite the beverage industry pouring at least $1.2 million in opposition. Besides generating an estimated $1.3 million for the city, the tax aims to curb […]

As nonprofits, programs and advocates across the country brace for deep cuts from President Donald Trump and his administration during this year’s budget process, one popular early childhood program appears to be safe, writes CalMatters’ Carolyn Jones. The 60-year-old Head Start program provides low-income families early childhood education, meals and parenting support. Last year it […]

After striking for nearly half a year, the union representing Kaiser Permanente mental health workers in Southern California said earlier this week that it has reached a tentative agreement with the company, and expects to vote on the new labor contract Thursday.  But the possible conclusion of a record-breaking work stoppage is not the only […]