Unemployment

WhatMatters

School reopening battle hits fever pitch

Good morning, California. It’s Thursday, February 4. SF sues itself New lines have been drawn in the sand of California’s school reopening battle. Gov. Gavin Newsom at a Wednesday press conference said he believes schools can safely reopen before all teachers have received the COVID-19 vaccine — a stance that puts him at odds with […]

By Emily Hoeven • February 4, 2021

Economy

How EDD and Bank of America make millions on California unemployment

State records obtained by CalMatters show that the employment agency made $22.5 million on unemployment debit card fees as the pandemic ravaged the job market, but it failed to track how much Bank of America earned off a debit card contract during the spike in benefits. Lawmakers are asking questions about the revenue-sharing deal as workers still missing money fight to survive.

By Lauren Hepler • February 3, 2021

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

Commentary

California’s unemployment insurance mess laid bare

The massive failings of California's Employment Development Department are laid bare, and could have political fallout.

By Dan Walters • January 27, 2021

Economy

Bank of America says it lost ‘hundreds of millions’ on California’s unemployment fiasco

State payment contractor Bank of America was pitted against California employment officials at a legislative hearing on monthslong benefit delays and rampant fraud.

By Lauren Hepler • January 26, 2021

College Beat

The Class of COVID-19

International students forced to return to their home countries. Low-income students losing the jobs that kept them afloat. Professors and students alike pushed off campus and adjusting to virtual learning, sometimes without access to the technology they needed.  The coronavirus pandemic disrupted nearly every aspect of California higher education as we knew it. In the […]

By Angel Fabre, Emily Forschen, Olivia Galván, Ryan Loyola, Mallika Seshadri, Zaeem Shaikh and Elena Shao • January 26, 2021

WhatMatters

Newsom’s reopening about-face raises questions

Good morning, California. It’s Tuesday, January 26. Data remains murky Monday was a day of coronavirus whiplash for many Californians as state health officials abruptly lifted the regional stay-at-home order and Gov. Gavin Newsom announced a major shift in the state’s vaccine plan. All but four counties are now in the purple tier of California’s […]

By Emily Hoeven • January 26, 2021

Commentary

California employment takes a downturn

California lifted a COVID-19 stay-at-home order Monday, just after it was revealed that unemployment had spiked in December to 9%, one of the nation's highest rates.

By Dan Walters • January 26, 2021

WhatMatters

Behind chaos on vaccines and jobless checks: persistent tech problems

California is struggling to provide residents with two items central to surviving the pandemic — the vaccine and unemployment benefits. California as of Wednesday had administered 38% of its 4.2 million doses of vaccine, ranking 45th nationwide in the number of doses administered per capita. And on Thursday, the beleaguered Employment Development Department revealed that […]

By Emily Hoeven • 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