stimulus

Jessica Gallup and her five-and-a-half-month-old daughter Sunny on the balcony of their one bedroom apartment in South San Francisco on August 6, 2020. Gallup, an event coordinator who cannot work due to the coronavirus pandemic, placed thousands of calls to unemployment agencies before receiving benefits. Now that she will lose the $600 in additional stimulus aid, gallup worries how she will make ends meet. Photo by Anne Wernikoff for CalMatters

California Divide

Side hustles, liquidating 401(k)s: Here’s how jobless Californians are getting by without the extra $600

While Republicans and Democrats disagree whether President Trump's executive order for $400-a-week enhanced unemployment benefits will work, pressure mounts for both parties to act. Without an expired federal $600 weekly boost, unemployed Californians are living on the brink by making candy and emptying out their 401(k)s.

By

Jackie Botts

• August 10, 2020

Commentary

Federal investments needed for state’s higher education system in fight against COVID-19

Congress should approve federal funds needed for universities to continue to play a leading role in combating today’s public health emergency.

By

Guest Commentary

• August 6, 2020

Commentary

Congress is working on another stimulus package; it should help all immigrant Californians

Many immigrants in California were excluded from the first federal relief package; this time it should address the health and nutritional needs of all Californians.

By

Guest Commentary

• July 31, 2020

Economy

If feds let jobless benefits drop, California Dems may “backdoor borrow” to extend them

California’s constitution requires a balanced budget, leaving the state few options to stimulate the economy or help people without jobs. Democrats, however, have found a loophole: "borrowing" federal dollars to continue benefits for the state's unemployed.

By

Ben Christopher

• July 28, 2020

Commentary

Retrofitting homes, small businesses for clean energy appliances will stimulate economy and fight climate change

A stimulus plan to retrofit homes and replace gas appliances for low-income Californians and small businesses will help fight climate change and create jobs.

By

Guest Commentary

• June 26, 2020

Members of the state Assembly met as a “Committee of the Whole on the State Budget” to question Gov. Gavin Newsom’s administration about its plan to fill an estimated $54.3 budget deficit because of the coronavirus at the Capitol on May 26, 2020. Photo by Rich Pedroncelli, AP Photo/Pool

WhatMatters

Lawmakers to pass budget sans gov’s OK

California lawmakers are ready to pass a budget, but still disagree with Governor Gavin Newsom in key areas like education and undocumented immigrant aid.

By

Emily Hoeven

• June 15, 2020

LA County is working with state, federal and local partners on Project Roomkey, an initiative to bring medically vulnerable people experiencing homelessness indoors during the COVID19 pandemic. Photo by Michael Owen Baker, County of Los Angeles via Flickr

Housing

Housing, homelessness funds mostly spared in proposed budget cuts

The Newsom administration plans to use federal money to double down on motel conversions. Lawmakers press for more funding for other housing programs.

By

Matt Levin

• May 16, 2020

Gov. Gavin Newsom presents the 2020-21 state budget at a press conference at the California Capitol on January 10, 2020. Photo by Anne Wernikoff for CalMatters

Economy

Here’s how a $54 billion deficit will hurt Californians

California faces an unprecedented $54.3 billion deficit. Finance officials announce the unemployment rate could reach 18%, worse than the Great Recession. Schools, health care and safety-net programs face devastating cuts as state and local officials seek additional federal stimulus.

By

Judy Lin

• May 7, 2020

WhatMatters

Testing can reopen CA. When?

Serology tests hold key to reopening California. Hospitals prepare for worst-case scenario. Should California protect stimulus checks from debt collectors?

By

Emily Hoeven

• April 22, 2020

For Californians with consumers debt, bank and private collectors could garnish their coronavirus relief stimulus checks. Image via iStock

California Divide

California could protect stimulus checks from debt collectors. Will Newsom act?

Californians with consumer debt could see their stimulus checks garnished by collectors. Advocates want the state to act but they're still waiting for a response.

By

Jackie Botts

• April 21, 2020

Stimulus