English – Page 2 – CalMatters

A woman in a bright red blazer and black-framed glasses speaks with another person on the floor of the California State Assembly chamber. She smiles while facing the other person, whose back is turned to the camera. Desks and seating in the legislative chamber are softly blurred in the background.

This lawmaker’s proposal could make California ‘the most secretive state in the country’

by Yue Stella Yu June 18, 2026June 18, 2026

Pacheco’s legislation would allow public agencies to delay records requests it deems “improperly” filed, sue for “malicious” requests and charge up to $66 an hour to produce government records. One good governance advocate calls it a “virtual horror show of governmental non-transparency.”

A graduate in cap and gown holds a bouquet of flowers while posing with an older man wearing a light-colored hat and sunglasses. The two stand together smiling in a crowded outdoor graduation venue, with other attendees visible in the background.

Commentary

Immigration raids have made skin color top of mind for a new generation of California Latinos

June 18, 2026June 17, 2026 by Priscilla Preciado

As immigration agents conduct roving patrols, a Cal State Fullerton student reflects on the racial profiling her father experienced and how it inspires her to correct the narrative.

Two people, one in a hooded sweatshirt and the other in an orange safety jacket, knelt on the ground looking at the temperature sensor attached to a piece of machinery inside the pumping plant.

Higher Education

Newsom promised to help Californians build new careers. Now, the money is running out

by Adam Echelman June 18, 2026June 18, 2026

Gov Gavin Newsom made job training and the creation of a master plan for career education part of his agenda. Now, key workforce initiatives may get no new funding.

A woman wearing a mask sits in a small medical exam room next to a desk with a computer, facing a healthcare worker who is partially obscured behind the monitor. The photo is taken from the hallway, looking into the room, where a wall-mounted hand sanitizer dispenser and document holders are also visible.

Commentary

Single-payer healthcare in California is possible. An economic and political thicket stands in the way

by Dan Walters June 18, 2026June 17, 2026

A pathway to single-payer healthcare may be possible, but hacking it through the thicket of healthcare economics and politics would require dozens — or even hundreds — of difficult choices.

Blue and yellow protest signs lean against theater-style seats in a dimly lit venue. The signs read “KEEP HOSPITALS AND ERs OPEN” and “STOP THE HEALTHCARE COLLAPSE,” with smaller text referencing a billionaire tax campaign.

Politics

A tax on billionaires qualified for the November ballot. 5 things to know about the measure

by Kristen Hwang June 18, 2026June 18, 2026

A California union wants to tax billionaires to fund healthcare. The initiative has drawn fierce opposition from Newsom and Silicon Valley moguls.

An incarcerated man wearing sunglasses, a white T-shirt and dark jeans stands with his hands clasped in front of him beside a tall concrete prison wall. Strong afternoon light casts sharp shadows across the wall, including the outline of razor wire overhead and the man's shadow beside him. The portrait isolates him against the stark prison architecture.

Justice

He spent 19 years in isolation on death row. Then the handcuffs came off

by Joe Garcia June 17, 2026June 16, 2026

Gov. Gavin Newsom gave condemned prisoners a chance to live differently when he suspended the death penalty. They aren’t free and many will never be released, but now they have opportunities to grow.

A large white, blue and red sign is displayed at an event. The sign reads " Billionaire Tax Now" and "Vote Yes 11/3/26" next to an image of a check box. A person can be seen walking by in the blurred foreground.

Commentary

As ballot deadline nears, will California’s billionaire tax actually go to voters?

by Dan Walters June 17, 2026June 16, 2026

The November election will have an array of money-driven ballot measures clustered around one question: Who should be taxed to finance California’s public services, and how much should they pay?

A person stands in the middle of their three sons, as they all stand outside a school building. A blue and red monument sign with the words "Pinedale Elementary" and the image of an Eagle mascot can be seen in the background.

K-12 Education

Some California schools get three times more funding than others. Here’s why

by Carolyn Jones June 17, 2026June 17, 2026

School funding in California steers a lot to wealthy districts and to those with high-needs students. Those in the middle get a lot less.

Students wearing black cap and gowns with red stoles, wait in a line to receive their diploma during a commencement ceremony. The photo focuses on a person in the center of the line, who's red stole includes green and brown camouflage details to symbolize the U.S. military.

Commentary

Higher ed funding for California veterans is under threat. How a $12 billion bond could help

June 17, 2026June 16, 2026 by Jason Williams and Angel Fulgencio

A program that lets veterans trade fatigues for a lab coat took a hit when federal officials tried freezing millions in grant dollars. It sparked support for a legislative fix.

A person with short brown hair looks to their left while their right hand rest behind their ear, as they sit in front of a desk. Other people can be seen in the blurred foreground

Investigation

New commission takes aim at California’s broken public defense system

by Anat Rubin June 16, 2026June 16, 2026

California is one of just two states that provides no money for the basic defense of poor people accused of crimes.