unemployment

Shuttered businesses along Telegraph Avenue in Oakland on March 16, 2020. Today, seven counties enacted a shelter in place order until April 7 to curb the spread of novel coronavirus

California Divide

Out of a job? Can’t pay your bills? These proposals may help keep you afloat amid coronavirus

Donna Insalaco had to lay off 40 of the 45 employees at Pizzaiolo, her gourmet pizzeria in downtown Oakland, after sales fell through a “black hole.” “A lot of tears,” Insalaco said, “All of us here live check-to-check.” Responding to a statewide call for restaurants to close their doors to dine-in customers, Pizzaiolo is now […]

By

Jackie Botts

• March 18, 2020

WhatMatters

Solving shortage of doctors, perhaps + A labor-weed rift + Layoffs on the rise + High-speed rail brinkmanship

Legislation seeks to address physician shortage. Rift develops between labor and cannabis industry. California sees uptick in layoffs.

By

Dan Morain

• February 13, 2020

future of work california autonomous vehicles

WhatMatters

Housing bill fails + China’s toll on California workers + counting homeless people

Study: Trade deficit hits California workers. Search continues for solutions to housing crisis after bill dies. CSU delays change to math requirement.

By

Dan Morain

• January 31, 2020

California Divide

In a sign of changing economy, an iconic flower company closes its doors

Each morning, just after the sun lights up the shores of Half Moon Bay, Rosa Manrriquez steps out her door, walks past the neatly manicured flowers lining her walkway, and drives to the Bay City Flower Company, a place she has called a second home since 1979, when she began working there. But on this […]

By

Erica Hellerstein

• November 7, 2019

WhatMatters

Water, #MeToo, homelessness politicized, impeachment, and Trump’s dismal numbers

New water law has big implications. Central Valley struggles with unemployment. Newsom considers signing bills inspired by #MeToo movement.

By

Dan Morain

• September 27, 2019

WhatMatters

Billionaire hits a hard patch, the economy is on a roll, and help is wanted in health care

California's economy keeps rolling. State faces a doctor shortage. Groups switch gears on initiative to rewrite Proposition 13.

By

Dan Morain

and

Barbara Harvey

• August 19, 2019

WhatMatters

Gig bill, African-American maternal health, and big money

Workers weigh in on gig economy bill. What's being done to improve African-American maternal health. Should striking workers get unemployment insurance?

By

Dan Morain

and

Barbara Harvey

• July 11, 2019