Economic Inequality

Commentary

Push for menstrual equity legislation part of youth movement in California politics

Recent grassroots campaigns to increase access to menstrual products are part of a growing push by young, diverse communities in California to engage with the legislative process and create laws that span race, gender and sexual orientation.

By Guest Commentary • April 5, 2023

Commentary

Silicon Valley Bank promised a $9 billion investment in California communities. Will new owners honor it?

Two years ago, Silicon Valley Bank agreed to invest more than $9 billion to support low-income communities in California as part of its acquisition of Boston Private. After SVB collapsed, those who helped negotiate the community benefits agreement are calling on its new owners to honor the commitment.

By Guest Commentary • March 30, 2023

Commentary

California floods, bank collapse expose infrastructure woes and whose safety we value

The infrastructure problems facing California have been exposed this month as Silicon Valley's economy, the state's transit future and the Central Valley's floodplains faced various threats. The speed at which the state and others responded has been revealing.

By Guest Commentary • March 27, 2023

California Divide

California workers can’t get timely hearings on wage theft claims. State orders audit.

It takes the state nearly 800 days — four times longer than is legal — to handle wage claims. Lawmakers ordered an audit to start Sept. 1, if agency issues aren’t addressed by then.

By Alejandro Lazo and Jeanne Kuang • March 22, 2023

Environment

Who buys electric cars in California — and who doesn’t?

Communities with high concentrations of electric cars are affluent, college-educated and at least 75% white and Asian. In contrast, electric cars are almost nonexistent in Black, Latino, low-income and rural communities — revealing the enormous task that California faces electrifying the entire fleet.

By Nadia Lopez and Erica Yee • March 22, 2023

California Divide

State may scale down its new home loan program designed to assist first-time homebuyers

Gov. Newsom wants to spend $300 million the first year, which could help about 2,300 buyers. But home prices are falling and mortgage rates are rising, complicating the launch.

By Alejandro Lazo • March 22, 2023

Commentary

How the California Reparations Task Force is crafting its recommendations

As the California Reparations Task Force finalizes its recommendations for the Legislature, a member lays out the committee's guiding principles and how their work aligns with international protocols and the examples set by other countries that provided reparations.

By Guest Commentary • March 21, 2023

California Divide

Evictions rise, tenants scramble for help as LA County protections expire

L.A. County's tenant pandemic protections expire March 31. But already advocates predict a spike in evictions, as landlords seek financial recovery.

By Alejandra Reyes-Velarde • March 21, 2023

California Divide

California colleges rush to get more students on food assistance before pandemic rule ends

Most college students don’t qualify for CalFresh, California’s food stamps program, despite high rates of food insecurity. A pandemic-era rule that made it easier to get aid ends soon.

By Jeanne Kuang and Mikhail Zinshteyn • March 16, 2023

Higher Education

Student housing: State’s promise to build more dorms hits setbacks

Gov. Gavin Newsom wants to delay state funds to student housing because of the state’s budget deficit. Lawmakers have different ideas on what kind of compromise might be reached.

By Mikhail Zinshteyn • March 15, 2023