Oakland

California Divide

Coronavirus: Oakland gives ‘first dibs’ to laid off airport and hotel workers

Hotel and travel businesses will have to rehire by seniority. Oakland is the latest city to pass a "right to recall" ordinance, following San Francisco and Los Angeles.

By

Laurence Du Sault

• July 15, 2020

California Divide

Coronavirus: Oakland workers rally for right to return to their jobs

Hotel and airport workers are pushing Oakland’s City Council to adopt right to recall legislation.

By

Laurence Du Sault

• July 13, 2020

CalMatters en Español

Opinión: Los ‘ingresos garantizados’ ayudarían a cerrar la brecha de la riqueza racial de California.

Una coalición de alcaldes está promoviendo los ingresos garantizados que mejorarían el sustento de muchos niños y familias de California.

By

Guest Commentary

• July 13, 2020

Isidoro Contreras Flores, sells an arrangnment of flowers in Seaside, Calif, on Tuesday, March 17, 2020. Photo by David Rodriguez, The Salinas Californian

California Divide

Close Quarters: California’s overcrowded homes fuel spread of coronavirus among workers

Until the pandemic struck, every day for the last 10 years, Isidoro Flores Contreras stood at the edge of the Sand City Costco parking lot, just a few feet from a set of McDonald’s arches, selling $15 flower bouquets. No matter the weather, he slowly walked back and forth along the sidewalk, a hitch in […]

By

Kate Cimini

and

Jackie Botts

• June 12, 2020

A pedestrian walks past boarded up windows of a business in Oakland on the the eighth day of the shelter-in-place order on March 24, 2020.One month into the order, California's economy has entered a recession. Photo by Ray Chavez, Bay Area News Group

Economy

What comes next for California cities? Deficits, bailouts and long recoveries

California cities face budget deficits as a pandemic-induced recession sets. Mayors are calling for federal bailouts in what's expected to be a long recovery.

By

,

,

,

and

• April 17, 2020

Housing

Could vacancy fines ease California’s housing crisis? Vancouver tries it, with mixed results

Even if California cities fine companies that own vacant housing, it's not clear how many homes would open up or how many people might be helped.

By

Jakob Lazzaro

• March 13, 2020

The Plaza Apartments in downtown San Francisco. Multiple tenant protection bills face key votes next week.

Housing

Watch: Panel on California’s housing crisis

Gimme Shelter co-hosts Matt Levin and Liam Dillon get answers from leaders in government, industry and philanthropy on the California housing crisis.

By

CalMatters Staff

• September 17, 2019

A man'Data measurements pinpoint a man's face. California lawmakers may prevent police agencies from using facial recognition technology — at least for now. Photo via iStock

Capitol

Facing police opposition, California lawmakers limit bill to ban facial recognition

A bill that aimed to permanently keep police from using body cams with facial recognition now would ban it for only three years.

By

Laurel Rosenhall

• September 9, 2019

A hand is seen pouring a mixed drink into two cocktail glasses at a wooden bar. The room is dimly lit.

Capitol

Mischief managed? Push for 4 a.m. last call gets a fresh shot with winemaker Gavin Newsom

A bill that would allow 10 California cities to extend last call at bars from 2 to 4 a.m. has a fresh shot at making it to the governor's desk. Will Sen. Scott Wiener's SB 58 get a friendlier reception from winemaker-turned-governor Gavin Newsom?

By

Adria Watson

• May 23, 2019

OAKLAND, CA - FEBRUARY 21: Signs are photographed during a rally at Frank Ogawa Plaza during a teacher strike on Thursday, Feb. 21, 2019, in Oakland, Calif. (Aric Crabb/Bay Area News Group)

Education

‘Common sense regulations’ or ‘an extended middle finger’—how far will California go on charter schools?

The transparency mandate signed into law Tuesday is just the first in a flurry of bills aimed at curbing California charter schools.

By

Ricardo Cano

• March 5, 2019