California Divide - CalMatters

Rodrigo Hernandez, 50, finishes up a car after washing it outside of the CLEAN Carwash Worker Center, in Los Angeles on July 21, 2022. Photo by Pablo Unzueta for CalMatters

California Divide

Wage Theft: Car wash workers in $2.3 million case await pay 3 years later

by Alejandro Lazo and Lil Kalish August 25, 2022August 25, 2022

The state said the case against Playa Vista would be the largest wage theft payout by a California car wash. Years later Antonio Dominguez and dozens of other car washers have yet to see any of their unpaid wages.

From left, Luis Diaz, 56, and Rodrigo Hernandez, 50, are part of a cooperative that is programmed by the CLEAN Carwash Worker Center in Los Angeles, an organization that ensures fair wages, health and safety protection. Photo by Pablo Unzueta for CalMatters

Waiting for wages, three years later

by Emily Hoeven August 25, 2022August 24, 2022

A group of people at a homeless encampment in Oakland on March 19, 2020. Photo by Ben Margot, AP

California Divide

Do the rich see inequality as a zero-sum game?

by Jeanne Kuang May 12, 2022May 12, 2022

A woman and two children wear masks at a playground in Los Angeles on July 11, 2020. Photo by Marcio Jose Sanchez, AP Photo

California Divide

Advocates say California should send $2,000 per child to poorest families

by Jeanne Kuang April 19, 2022April 19, 2022

A man walks past an oil rig during sunset in Huntington Beach on Dec. 2, 2020. Ronen Tivony/REUTERS

California Divide

‘Just transition’ bill for oil industry workers exposes labor rift

by Jesse Bedayn February 17, 2022March 4, 2022

Stockton Mayor Michael Tubbs responds to a question during his appearance before the Sacramento Press Club on July 10, 2018. AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli

California Divide

Former Stockton mayor launches nonprofit to end poverty in California

by Alejandro Lazo February 10, 2022February 10, 2022

Taylor Patterson, left, and Tamarin Johnson, right, chop watermelon to feed worms in a composting mound at the Healthy Hearts Institute’s garden in Pittsburg on Jan. 26, 2022. The community based organization is focused on providing access to healthy foods and improved nutritional education. Anda Chu/Bay Area News Group

California Divide

Community groups renew push for health equity and racial justice fund

by Jesse Bedayn February 9, 2022February 9, 2022

A young child walks past a painting depicting Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. during a Juneteenth celebration in Los Angeles on June 19, 2020. Juneteenth marks the day in 1865 when federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, to take control of the state and ensure all enslaved people were freed, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation. AP Photo/Jae C. Hong

California Divide

Targeted universalism: A solution for inequality?

by Jesse Bedayn February 3, 2022February 3, 2022

Brittannie Gulley is a cashier at Stater Bros. Market in Norwalk. Gulley has worked at Stater Bros. Market for 18 years, and throughout the pandemic things have changed for her. "It has been very stressful working in the pandemic," Gulley said. "It's scary because you don't know if somebody has a cold, or the coronavirus." Jan. 13, 2022. Photo by Pablo Unzueta for CalMatters

California Divide

With pandemic protections gone, essential workers face omicron alone

by Alejandro Lazo January 20, 2022January 21, 2022

California Divide

One man’s lonely journey through California’s plan to end homelessness

by Jackie Botts January 17, 2022January 18, 2022