Economic Inequality

Political intrigue grabs attention during election years, but California voters are also moved by high costs, joblessness and homelessness.

As oil and gas companies pivot to plastic, certain California neighborhoods become unhealthy sacrifice zones again.

Federal cuts will produce new challenges for higher ed, but financial aid priority should go to those with little or no wealth and low incomes.

California ranks near the top in tax rates but still has structural deficits in its budget. Legislators would rather tax more than cut costs.

An estimated 1 in 5 Californians live with a conviction on their record. A 2022 law gives many of them a chance to expunge their record and make greater contributions to their communities.

The state's upper class espouses equality politics and social justice, while pushing policies that keep low wage workers living in poverty.

California's wealthiest tribes, preparing for digital gaming, are pushing a bill to effectively ban less wealthy tribes from offering online sweepstakes games.

Californians' power costs are among the nation's highest and could keep climbing. There’s precious little Newsom and legislators can do about it since they face chronic budget deficits.

While Newsom is fond of touting California’s immense economic output, he rarely mentions its high rates of unemployment, poverty and homelessness, thanks largely to the state's high costs of housing, utilities and other necessities.

An Arkansas native who relocated to California worries many citizens are internalizing the culture war disdain for the Golden State, and willing to tear down what makes California exceptional.