Elaine Howle

Higher Education

Four California universities missed out on as much as $47 million in coronavirus aid. Here’s why

A state audit says four California universities could have received millions more in federal pandemic money and helped more students. University of California and California State University officials could still recoup some of the cash.

By Julian Mendoza, Stephanie Zappelli and Sindhu Ananthavel • December 16, 2021

WhatMatters

Inside the Capitol’s latest political battle

Who will take the helm of the state auditor's office and evaluate Newsom's administration?

By Emily Hoeven • November 12, 2021

Politics

California’s state auditor: ‘Speak the truth to power’

Elaine Howle is stepping down at the end of 2021 after 21 years on the job. Her office has issued audits of a wide range of state agencies, including a series of highly critical reviews of California's pandemic response and spending. In an interview with CalMatters, she talks about her biggest accomplishments and stiffest challenges.

By Emily Hoeven • November 12, 2021

WhatMatters

Key California EDD fixes are a long way off

California's unemployment department is making progress on key reforms, but some of the most transformational changes are still years away.

By Emily Hoeven • October 26, 2021

Commentary

Why it’s not easy to build affordable housing in California

While Gov. Gavin Newsom renews his pledge to attack California's housing crisis, a bureaucratic mess and labor union demands are impediments to construction.

By Dan Walters • May 26, 2021

Health

California oversight of nursing homes called ‘befuddling,’ ‘broken’

A CalMatters investigation reveals an opaque licensing process for California nursing homes, rife with indecision and contradictions. Officials have let the state’s largest nursing home owner and his companies operate 18 homes for years while failing to decide whether to grant the required licenses.

By Jocelyn Wiener • April 6, 2021

CalMatters en Español

La supervisión de California de los asilos de ancianos se llama ‘desconcertante’, ‘rota’

Read this article in English.      Una investigación de CalMatters revela un proceso de concesión de licencias opaco para los hogares de ancianos de California, plagado de indecisiones y contradicciones. Los funcionarios han permitido que el propietario de un asilo de ancianos más grande del estado y sus empresas operen 18 hogares durante años sin poder decidir […]

By Jocelyn Wiener • April 6, 2021

Commentary

State auditor’s office has been on a roll

California's auditor, Elaine Howle, has been on a roll, revealing politically embarrassing facts about state government agencies and programs.

By Dan Walters • February 28, 2021

WhatMatters

California’s climate goals likely out of reach

Good morning, California. It’s Wednesday, February 24. Two reports cast doubt California is unlikely to meet its ambitious climate goals, two reports released Tuesday show. The first, from California State Auditor Elaine Howle, doesn’t mince words: “The state will fall short of meeting the 2030 goal” of a 40% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from […]

By Emily Hoeven • February 24, 2021

Environment

Audit slams state air board for ‘overstating’ greenhouse gas cuts

The air board’s lack of accounting threatens to derail the state’s climate change goals, the audit says. “California is in need of more reliable tools,” state auditor Elaine Howle wrote.

By Rachel Becker • February 23, 2021