Stimulus

WhatMatters

Two audits tell the tale: How California failed to detect unemployment fraud

The extent to which California’s unemployment department has failed to address rampant fraud came into clearer focus on Thursday, when the state auditor released her second report of the week on the Employment Development Department. Despite repeated warnings from federal authorities that fraudsters would target California, EDD waited six months and processed 7.4 million claims […]

By Emily Hoeven • January 29, 2021

California Divide

Going underground: California business operates in secret amid pandemic restrictions

Many small business owners have taken legitimate operations underground during the pandemic. Owners say they’ve been unable to get by on government loans and stimulus checks.

By Kate Cimini • January 22, 2021

WhatMatters

A new era for California? Newsom asks Biden for aid

What a difference a day makes. On Tuesday, California was still wrangling with the Trump administration, as evidenced by nine final-hour lawsuits filed by Attorney General Xavier Becerra — bringing his four-year total to a staggering 122 lawsuits. Today, Joe Biden and Kamala Harris will be sworn in as president and vice president of the […]

By Emily Hoeven • January 20, 2021

WhatMatters

Urgency for pandemic solutions as lawmakers return

Good morning, California. It’s Monday, January 11. Long to-do list Lawmakers return to Sacramento today to kick off a new legislative session — but time is already running out to respond to some of the pandemic’s most pressing issues.  Around 2 million Californians could lose their homes on Feb. 1 if lawmakers don’t extend the […]

By Emily Hoeven • January 11, 2021

Politics

In pandemic-era budget, Newsom tries to nestle friends and neutralize enemies

His strategy seems to echo the mantra of former Gov. Jerry Brown — paddling a little on the left, a little on the right.

By Laurel Rosenhall • January 11, 2021

Politics

Better than ‘anyone could have imagined’: Inside Newsom’s optimistic, record-breaking budget proposal

 Lea este artículo en español.  More than last year’s budget. More than the year before. More than any California budget ever. Despite — or maybe because of — the last 10 months of arrested economic activity and unchecked viral contagion, Gov. Gavin Newsom introduced a record-breaking $227 billion spending plan for the coming fiscal year. It […]

By Ben Christopher • January 8, 2021

WhatMatters

How the Capitol attack affected California

Good morning, California. It’s Thursday, January 7. State, congressional leaders respond As a violent mob of President Donald Trump’s supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday — temporarily preventing Congress from certifying the Electoral College votes to confirm President-elect Joe Biden’s victory — protests broke out at California’s Capitol building in Sacramento and in cities […]

By Emily Hoeven • January 7, 2021

California Divide

Newsom wants extra $600 stimulus for low-wage Californians

The governor proposes a $600 stimulus for low-income Californians on top of the recent federal stimulus aid. He also wants to extend California's eviction moratorium, which is currently set to expire Jan. 31.

By Nigel Duara • January 6, 2021

Economy

Who will pay for all of California’s unemployment fraud?

The battle has begun over billions of dollars allegedly stolen during the pandemic, pitting state officials against a web of scammers and their own private contractors. With another stimulus bill poised to inject more cash into a leaky system, taxpayers could be left holding the bag.

By Lauren Hepler and Stephen Council • December 22, 2020

Politics

What the federal stimulus package means for California

The stimulus deal does not include aid for state and local governments that Gov. Newsom spent months lobbying for. But he said the cash that will flow to Californians is significant.

By Laurel Rosenhall • December 22, 2020