California Budget

Economy

California’s undocumented kids could be first to lose medical care under Trump

On a recent rainy morning in Los Angeles, Maria Bernal’s stove clicks to life with a bright blue flame to toast bread on a griddle for her 9-year-old son Edwin to smear with peanut butter. As she scoops papaya chunks into the blender for a smoothie, she recalls her worry during all the years when […]

By Elizabeth Aguilera • January 25, 2017

Climate Change

So long, 2016: Top California stories set course for 2017

How did California define itself in 2016? As the state girding itself to mastermind the progressive resistance against a looming Trump administration? The state struggling to take the global lead in a daunting quest to halt global climate change? The state saddled with unfunded liabilities to pay off generous public employee pensions, and riddled with […]

By CalMatters Staff • December 29, 2016

Education

School building bonanza—but new dollars might not reach poor districts

It’s tough for California voters to say no to more money for school construction. They almost always approve state bond requests, and this month they passed a $9 billion package that backers promised would help pay for repairs and upgrades needed to preserve students’ access to safe, modern classrooms. Unlike previous bonds, however, Prop. 51 […]

By Jessica Calefati • November 22, 2016

Health

Vaping on the verge: With Prop. 56, California could start taxing e-cigs like tobacco

“Unicorn” opens his mod device and lets a few drops of clear juice fall. His vaporizer replenished, he deeply inhales and slowly exhales—an enormous amount of smoke billowing out of his nose and mouth. But it’s not actually smoke: the smell isn’t foul, it’s sweet. “The nicotine mellows me out without any of the negative […]

By Samantha Young • October 20, 2016

Climate Change

Back from the brink: State expands climate goals, but doubt and distrust linger

The sound of applause has scarcely died down in the Capitol after last week’s vote to significantly expand California’s requirements to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Proponents who steered the groundbreaking legislation are still basking in the afterglow of an effort that—after seeming on the brink of defeat—deftly mustered unexpected support and reaffirmed the state’s international […]

By Julie Cart • September 1, 2016

Capitol

By the numbers: Analyzing the governor’s budget

Gov. Jerry Brown fired the opening salvo of California’s budget season on Jan. 7 when he unveiled his spending proposal for the fiscal year that will start July 1. While the final state budget will likely look much different in June when it is scheduled to be adopted by the Legislature, Brown’s proposal is the […]

By Matt Levin • January 8, 2016