economists | CalMatters

Lance Hastings, president of the California Manufacturers & Technology Association, in Sacramento on March 26, 2021. CMTA has received 16 fraudulent EDD claims using their former address, each with different Social Security numbers, since September. Photo by Anne Wernikoff, CalMatters

Is California blowing it on unemployment reform?

by Lauren Hepler March 29, 2021March 29, 2021

The state went deep into debt to keep jobless benefits flowing during the pandemic. And if it doesn’t fix its $48 billion unemployment problem, that could derail COVID-19 recovery.

Bailey Brown at her home in Pismo Beach on Oct. 25, 2020. Photo by Robert Oliver for CalMatters

California offered a lifeline when their hours were cut — then payments froze

by Lauren Hepler November 3, 2020November 4, 2020

Owner John Kevranian fills a bag up with candy corn at Nuts for Candy & Toys in Burlingame on May 18. He is among small business owners worried that the cost of property tax hikes inherent in Prop. 15 will get passed on to small businesses. Photo by Randy Vazquez, Bay Area News Group

If voters raise taxes on corporate landlords, will small biz foot the bill?

by Ben Christopher September 28, 2020September 28, 2020