unemployment

Gov. Gavin Newsom discusses his plan for the gradual reopening of California businesses during a news conference at the Display California store in Sacramento May 5, 2020.

WhatMatters

Good morning, California. It’s Tuesday, August 4. Newsom guardedly optimistic For the first time in a long while, California has some good coronavirus news. The state’s positive case rate declined by 7%, hospitalizations by 10% and intensive-care admissions by 5% over the past two weeks, Gov. Gavin Newsom said Monday. One month ago, California’s positive […]

By

Emily Hoeven

• August 4, 2020

Window with a closed sign due to the closure of almost all businesses amid the Coronavirus outbreak, Downtown Los Angeles, April 11 2020. Photo by Ana M Amortegui via iStock

Explainers

Filing for unemployment? Here’s how California is scrambling to respond

More than 7.6 million Californians have filed for unemployment benefits since the pandemic triggered a recession. Navigating the assistance program has been filled with frustration.

By

Lauren Hepler

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Stephen Council

• July 30, 2020

The coronavirus has played havoc with California's economy, state Democrats to consider exploiting a loophole to expand jobless benefits. Image via iStockmage via iStock

WhatMatters

California’s Plan B for unemployment benefits

Good morning, California. It’s Wednesday, July 29. Could lose billons of $, thousands of jobs California has a lot riding on federal unemployment benefits set to expire this week. The Golden State could sink even deeper into recession and lose thousands more jobs if the Republican proposal to decrease weekly benefits from $600 to $200 […]

By

Emily Hoeven

• July 29, 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

Food security, ability to pay rent and loss of low-wage jobs are three areas where economic disparities in California are most visible amid the coronavirus pandemic. Photos by Anne Wernikoff for CalMatters

California Divide

How COVID is deepening California’s income inequality in 5 charts

The pandemic has left millions of Californians without jobs, food or money for next month's rent. Meanwhile, the state's many billionaires got richer.

By

Jackie Botts

• July 20, 2020

The back window of a studio seen from the street at San Francisco Art Institute. The private art college has been forced to closed due to financial pressures related to the coronavirus. Photo by Anne Wernikoff for CalMatters

WhatMatters

State of the state: grim

Good morning, California. It’s Friday, July 17. Difficult road ahead As California approaches yet another pandemic inflection point, things are looking pretty grim on multiple fronts. —Virus: The state logged a record 11,000 new cases on Tuesday, and hospitalizations and intensive-care admissions remain at record levels, though the rate at which they’re increasing is beginning […]

By

Emily Hoeven

• July 17, 2020

Closures and false starts have been harsh for California business owners and employees seeking stability. Image via iStock

Economy

After more coronavirus closures, how deep will California’s recession go?

Forget the notion of a V-shaped recovery. Unemployment leveled off around 16% in May, but a retreat to isolation and the end of some relief funds could lengthen the state’s economic recovery — and deepen inequality.

By

Lauren Hepler

• July 16, 2020

California Capitol, home of the Assembly and Senate. Photo by Anne Wernikoff for CalMatters

Dan Walters

Chaos in unemployment insurance

California's unemployment insurance system, already weak, has been overwhelmed by a flood of claims for payments due to the COVID-19 recession.

By

Dan Walters

• July 9, 2020

Festival attendees bike through the desert at Burning Man. Photo by BLM Nevada via Creative Commons

Economy

6 curious takeaways from California’s small-business loans

From Silicon Valley startups to Gavin Newsom’s wine business, a rundown of who got what from the federal coronavirus business loan program.

By

Lauren Hepler

• July 6, 2020

WhatMatters

ICU admissions up 49% before 4th of July

Good morning, California. It’s Friday, July 3. Note: Due to the holiday weekend, I’ll be back in your inbox on Tuesday. New counties on watch list As California heads into Fourth of July weekend, the state’s positive case rate is up 37%, hospitalizations 56% and intensive care admissions 49% compared to two weeks ago, with […]

By

Emily Hoeven

• July 3, 2020