California Legislature

Sacramento firefighters respond to a fire at a homeless encampment under Highway 80 near 14th Street and X Street on Feb. 24, 2022. Photo by Miguel Gutierrez Jr., CalMatters

Homelessness

California counted its homeless population, but can it track the money?

Volunteers fanned out across the state for the first statewide count of California’s homeless population since 2020. The number is expected to be higher, raising more questions about the impact of the state's increased spending.

By

Manuela Tobias

• March 2, 2022

Commentary

Seed funding needed for major water recycling project in Southern California

The Metropolitan Water District is collaborating with water districts in Nevada and Arizona to advance a large recycling project.

By

Guest Commentary

• March 2, 2022

Rusty Hicks, California Democratic Party Chair, at the California Democratic Party Convention in San Francisco in 2019. Image by Devlin Shand via Wikimedia

Politics

Progressives struggle for influence among California Democrats

Progressive activists have found themselves on the losing end of recent California Democratic Party fights over single-payer health care, endorsements and donations from fossil fuel companies. Those tensions were on full display at the party's annual convention March 4-6.

By

Alexei Koseff

• March 1, 2022

Commentary

New Privacy Protection Agency needs more time to develop regulations

The agency has not held a pre-rulemaking public hearing or shared any draft regulations for the public to comment on.

By

Guest Commentary

• March 1, 2022

Commentary

How to spur housing production in California

Ongoing funding from the state is needed to support housing production, subsidize affordable housing and invest in supportive infrastructure.

By

Guest Commentary

• February 25, 2022

California Attorney General Rob Bonta speaks at a protest demanding the state make meaningful investments in crime prevention and healing in response to the pandemic-fueled rise in violence plaguing communities on the steps of the California State Capitol, February 23, 2022. Photo by Fred Greaves for CalMatters

WhatMatters

California Democrats make appeal to crime victims

CalMatters is dedicated to explaining how state government impacts our lives. Your support helps us produce journalism that makes a difference. Donate now. California Democrats have a message for Republicans hoping to capitalize on voter concerns about rising crime ahead of the 2022 elections: We care about victims, too. On Wednesday, Attorney General Rob Bonta and three […]

By

Emily Hoeven

• February 24, 2022

Commentary

R&D investments drive California innovation

California needs to help companies commit the resources that new ideas and products require – a R&D tax credit does just that.

By

Guest Commentary

• February 18, 2022

Governor Gavin Newsom discusses the next phase of the state’s comprehensive pandemic response, California’s SMARTER Plan, at a press conference in Fontana on Feb. 17, 2022. The press conference took place in one of many warehouses where PPE supplies are stored. Photo by Alisha Jucevic for CalMatters

Politics

Out of the COVID crisis, but California is still in a state of emergency

Gov. Newsom unveiled a new non-crisis COVID strategy, but Republicans in the Legislature want the state of emergency ended immediately.

By

Alexei Koseff

• February 18, 2022

Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins and Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon at the Sacramento Press Club on Aug. 8, 2018. Robbie Short for CalMatters

Politics

What’s on the priority list for top California legislators?

Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon and Senate President Pro Tem Toni Atkins said they're interested in another round of stimulus payments. Rendon expressed concern about Gov. Gavin Newsom's proposed gas tax holiday.

By

Sameea Kamal

• February 16, 2022

A mountain lion wanders next to a home on Ethelbee Way in North Tustin as members of the Orange County Sheriff's Department, OC Animal Care, and California Fish and Wildlife surround the neighborhood on Dec. 26, 2020. Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG

Housing

What do mountain lions have to do with California housing?

The new episode of the California housing crisis podcast spotlights local resistance against a new law allowing duplexes on single-family lots, including the town of Woodside's attempt to declare itself a mountain lion habitat.

By

Manuela Tobias

• February 16, 2022