California Divide
Silicon Valley’s vast wealth disparity deepens as poverty increased
One of the world’s richest regions has some of its starkest divides, with its top 10% of households holding two-thirds of its wealth.
Poverty
California Divide
More than 12,000 Californians are getting cash from guaranteed income experiments
State and local governments, and some private funders, are launching dozens of pilot projects making direct, monthly payments to low-income residents to help meet basic needs. Researchers will study what happens next. Key question: will this money add to, reform, or supplant current welfare programs?
WhatMatters
How much is a living wage in California?
From CalMatters California Divide reporter Jeanne Kuang: What’s one of the driving forces of poverty and inequality? When the cost of living outpaces the growth in wages. In response, California over the last two decades has raised the minimum wage every few years, as have some local governments. New state Sen. Steve Padilla, a Chula […]
California Divide
Thieves drain millions off CalFresh and CalWORKs recipients’ cards, families wait and taxpayers pay
The EBT cards the state uses to deliver financial assistance to low-income residents lack security features common to credit and debit cards. California officials plan to upgrade. Meanwhile, they're paying millions to replace stolen money and food stamps.
California Divide
California reparations task force aims at more than dollars, seeks policies to prevent harm
The task force members are discussing monetary and nonmonetary reparations ideas to compensate for slavery and racism. Some say they want policies to prevent future harms against Black Californians.
California Divide
$24 billion projected budget deficit may test California’s resolve to grow safety net amid recession
Advocates warn now is not the time to cut programs that help the poor. The state has reserves to weather a tough year but a recession could deepen the deficit.
California Divide
Poverty drops in California but only because of child tax credit, COVID relief funds
If you haven’t filed for a child tax credit, now’s the time to do it. A deadline approaches.
California Divide
A Workers’ Guide to Wage Theft: What to do if your boss steals your wages
If your paycheck isn’t right, the state or federal government could help, but it may take some research, records and patience on your part.
WhatMatters
California sends contradictory economic signals
When it comes to California’s economy, the numbers tell wildly different and seemingly incompatible stories — leading to competing narratives ahead of the Nov. 8 election as residents identify jobs, the economy and inflation as the top issues facing the state. Take GDP: On the one hand, Gov. Gavin Newsom is trumpeting a Bloomberg opinion […]
California Divide
State withdraws plans to limit California LifeLine internet and cell phone discount for low-income users
Assembly members and disgruntled Californians urged the California Public Utilities Commission to keep low-income subsidies as is.