California Divide

California allotted half a billion dollars to help community land trusts across the state. But budget cuts and bureaucracy have land trust advocates back where they were in 2020: seeking state aid to preserve affordable housing.

The mayor of Norwalk said the city enacted its far-reaching ban on shelters and other low-income housing and businesses out of frustration with the state.

The state Labor Commissioner sometimes struggles to get back pay to workers when it reaches wage theft settlements. It tries social media, TV and hotlines. But money owed to employees is still sitting in state accounts.

An estimated 1 in 5 schools has no air conditioning and another 10% need repair. Underfunded schools struggle to keep classrooms cool as heat waves intensify. "It's a hot mess," one teacher says.

Gov. Newsom blocks legislation to make it easier for California farmworkers to file workers’ comp claims for heat illness. It was backed by their union and opposed by business groups.

Gov. Newsom again vetoes a bill aiming to let undocumented immigrants get unemployment benefits. He earlier vetoed measures to allow them to apply for homeowner aid, and for undocumented students to work on campus. Political analysts say he’s playing it safe on a hot-button issue.

As part of a California reparations package, Gov. Newsom signs a bill to officially apologize for slavery. But he vetoed others sought by reparations supporters.

Tenant advocates say giving renters 10 days to respond to eviction notices, up from 5, will help those who live in rural areas and have trouble finding legal help. Some landlords argue it will increase their costs.

The state is working on electronic benefit cards with security chips, but is behind schedule. Families are expected to be able to use them in January.

The controversial idea of cash reparations divided even Black advocates in the legislature this year. Here’s what’s next.