Unemployment

WhatMatters

School reopening battle intensifies as unions and Democrats face off

School reopenings will likely take center stage in 2021 as one of California’s biggest political battles. It’s a battle all the more noteworthy because it pits two groups that are often allies — unions and Democratic lawmakers — against each other. This week, the state’s two largest teachers unions — the California Teachers Association and […]

By Emily Hoeven • December 18, 2020

WhatMatters

The vaccine arrives in California: Health care workers up first

Thousands of California health care workers may receive their first dose of the coronavirus vaccine today, marking a promising new chapter in the state’s battle with the pandemic even as deadly outbreaks flare up.  Portions of California’s initial allotment of 327,000 doses were slated to begin arriving at health care facilities Sunday night, with shipments […]

By Emily Hoeven • December 14, 2020

WhatMatters

California’s looming economic challenges

Good morning, California. It’s Thursday, December 10. Newsom at an inflection point Even as 59% of Californians expect the state to be bogged down by widespread unemployment and financial depression for the next five years, 58% approve of how Gov. Gavin Newsom is handling the economy. The findings, from a statewide Public Policy Institute of […]

By Emily Hoeven • December 10, 2020

WhatMatters

Newsom avoids the elephant in the room

Good morning, California. It’s Tuesday, December 8. New app coming Thurs. Against a backdrop of escalating crises, Gov. Gavin Newsom gave a 90-minute press conference Monday in which he unveiled a coronavirus exposure app and public education campaign but failed to address some of the state’s biggest challenges. The app, CA Notify, launches Thursday. Once […]

By Emily Hoeven • December 8, 2020

California Divide

How California renters are bracing for an eviction tsunami

More than 2 million Californians are struggling to keep up with rent — many of them single mothers with at least some college education. The situation will be made worse as some unemployment benefits begin to expire after Christmas and landlords begin evicting Feb. 1. This report is part of a multi-month series from the California Divide.

By Nigel Duara • December 6, 2020

California Divide

Job loss, rent increase tow a single mother’s finances under

Aleida lost all her work at the start of the coronavirus shutdown. After using up her entire savings to keep her daughter and nephew sheltered, she missed rent for the first time in her life.

By Laurence Du Sault and CalMatters Staff • December 6, 2020

California Divide

Gasping for air in the face of eviction

Patricia was already spending 75% of her take home pay on rent before the pandemic. Since losing her job as a medical transport driver, the single mother of two has fallen behind on rent.

By Nigel Duara • December 6, 2020

California Divide

Better off than before, even as the rent goes up

Susan lost two of her three jobs at the start of California’s shelter-in-place order. She is just barely scraping by each month. Still, this once-homeless single mother says she feels rich compared to what she once had.

By Kate Cimini and CalMatters Staff • December 6, 2020

California Divide

Losing out on work so her son can learn

In many ways, distance learning is keeping Teresa from making ends meet. The waitress can only work weekends when her son isn’t in class. She’s falling behind on rent and considering moving out of state.

By Orlando Mayorquin • December 6, 2020

WhatMatters

Credibility at stake: The French Laundry saga followed by others

California elected officials are rapidly losing credibility at a critical point in the pandemic, with hospitalizations at an all-time high and Gov. Gavin Newsom expected to announce a state lockdown today. On Tuesday, the San Francisco Chronicle broke the news that Mayor London Breed attended a dinner party with seven other people at the three-Michelin-starred […]

By Emily Hoeven • December 2, 2020