California Budget

Two patients sit in front of a desk with a plexiglass where a receptionists writes something down on a piece of paper.

Health

Health care in California: How the state made almost everyone eligible for coverage

California has used the Affordable Care Act to make health insurance available to almost every resident. It now has a record high insured rate, although millions continue to go without health care.

By

Shaanth Nanguneri

and

Arfa Momin

• September 4, 2024

A group of California Highway Patrol officers ride motorcycles in Covina on December 10, 2015. Photo by Mike Blake, Reuters

Justice

CHP officers land a $500 million contract as Gov. Gavin Newsom races to fill vacancies

California Highway Patrol officers received historically high raises in 2022 and 2023, but it continues to face a high vacancy rate of 16%.

By

Nigel Duara

• August 29, 2024

Commentary

With 28 months to go, will Newsom now pay more attention to his day job?

In his second term, Newsom still has 28 months as governor. Will he pay more attention to his governance record, or will he continue his quest for national relevance?

By

Dan Walters

• August 28, 2024

Commentary

Big Medicine and Newsom square off in battle over billions in health care tax dollars

Major payers in California's health care industry are pushing a ballot measure that would punch a hole in the state budget, blocking it from tapping a special health care tax.

By

Dan Walters

• August 16, 2024

A person hugs another person from behind, as the last person is seated in a row of chairs.

Capitol

California lawmakers kill crime bills, keep reparations proposals alive

Legislators blocked more than 270 bills, partly due to the budget crunch, in the second round of suspense file hearings this year. The 500 bills that survived must still win final approval by Aug. 31 to reach the governor's desk.

By

Sameea Kamal

and

Jeanne Kuang

• August 15, 2024

The podium before Gov. Gavin Newsom addresses the media to unveil his 2024-25 January budget proposal at the Secretary of State Auditorium in Sacramento on Jan. 10, 2024. Photo by Miguel Gutierrez Jr., CalMatters

Commentary

California’s great debate resumes about how to cope with volatile swings in tax revenues

California's politicians have argued for two decades about how to deal with volatility. Should California increase rainy day reserves, or just avoid spending surpluses?

By

Dan Walters

• August 9, 2024

Gov. Gavin Newsom addresses the media during a press conference unveiling his 2024-25 January budget proposal at the Secretary of State Auditorium in Sacramento on Jan. 10, 2024. Photo by Miguel Gutierrez Jr., CalMatters

Commentary

Newsom denounces Trump’s authoritarian tendencies, but displays some himself

California Gov. Gavin Newsom and fellow Democrats in the Legislature tend to govern by decree, a habit they've criticized in former President Donald Trump.

By

Dan Walters

• August 1, 2024

Medical personnel working in the nurse’s station in the Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital in Hollister on March 30, 2023. Photo by Larry Valenzuela, CalMatters/CatchLight Local

Health

California delayed a minimum wage bump for health workers. Some are getting raises anyway

Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a law that set health care workers on a path to a $25 minimum wage. Lawmakers then delayed it, but some hospitals are raising pay ahead of schedule.

By

Ana B. Ibarra

• July 29, 2024

Nursing students Ashley Jensen, left, and Courtney Houtz practice injection procedures in the clinical skills lab at University of San Francisco in San Francisco on Oct. 9, 2023. Photo by Amir Aziz for CalMatters

Economy

California’s ‘weak’ job market propped up by public money as private sector sheds jobs

Private-sector jobs in California have declined since their post-pandemic peak, while public-sector employment has shown gains, the state’s Legislative Analyst’s Office says.

By

Levi Sumagaysay

• July 9, 2024

Dentist Ann Chen, left, and dental assistant Phuong Truong, right, work on a student patient at the Shop 55 Wellness Center at Oakland High School in Oakland on May 10, 2024. Through the California Community Schools Partnership Program (CCSPP), Oakland High is able to offer a variety of medical services such as dental care to students. Photo by Juliana Yamada for CalMatters

Commentary

California faces a variety of workforce shortages. It can’t afford to cut training programs

Most job training initiatives in California are government-funded, but many are grappling with cuts as the state and local governments face budget deficits. A Latino immigrant who entered the dental industry after completing job training programs shares what's at stake.

By Edgar Alas • July 9, 2024