In summary Last year, California’s state budget assumed a $97.5 billion surplus, but the state now faces a hefty budget deficit and the Legislature’s budget analyst says it’s likely even larger than predicted. Eight months ago, energized by projections of …
In summary Two of California’s most important economic sectors, Southern California’s logistic industry and the tech industry in Silicon Valley, are facing threats to their futures. During World War II, California became the staging point for the Pacific …
In summary One of the world’s richest regions has some of its starkest divides, with its top 10% of households holding two-thirds of its wealth. A new study of Silicon Valley wealth, income and other economic measures shows vast disparities in one of the …
Programming note: We’ll be recognizing Presidents’ Day, so WhatMatters will return to your inboxes on Tuesday. In 2021, it was big news — the “California exodus.” Now, it just looks like the new trend: California’s population is still shrinking. According …
In summary California’s changing demographics and vast wealth gap have inspired liberal voters to push for a more progressive U.S. senator to succeed long-serving Democrat Dianne Feinstein in 2024. Guest Commentary written by It’s been more than 30 years …
In summary Dianne Feinstein remained firmly committed to working across the aisle, even as partisanship increased in the Senate. As voters start thinking about the political ideals of her successor, some argue that California will be best served by someone …
EN RESUMEN Los funcionarios esperan duplicar la inscripción en Cal Poly Humboldt para 2027. Los planes para reservar todas las viviendas en el campus para los estudiantes de primer año se redujeron la semana pasada después de que los estudiantes actuales …
EN RESUMEN Las lluvias de enero inundaron campos de cultivo y huertas. Muchos trabajadores agrícolas de California perdieron semanas de pago. Los defensores dicen que el estado debería ayudarlos a sobrellevar tales crisis. Una propuesta destacada pagaría $ …
In summary Advocates and lawmakers are calling for fully independent commissions to decide election districts for cities and counties across California. While about a dozen new commissions drew maps after the 2020 Census, in many other places, politicians …
In summary January’s rains flooded farm fields and orchards. Many California farmworkers lost weeks of pay. Advocates say the state should help them weather such crises. A leading proposal would pay $300 a week to undocumented workers. Torrential rains and …
From CalMatters politics reporter Ben Christopher: In 2021, state lawmakers made a request: The newly convened California Interagency Council on Homelessness should put together a “comprehensive view of the homelessness response system.” In short, the …
In summary The controversial construction of a taller border fence at Friendship Park at the California-Mexico border began this week. If completed, a once beautiful vista filled with joy, family and togetherness could become an ugly metaphor for U.S. …
In summary For the first time, a new state report offers a bird-eye view of how much the state has spent to halt homelessness — nearly $10 billion over three years. Of the half-million Californians who made use of those services, more than 40% ended up …
In summary The California Public Records Act grants the public access to government documents, with some exceptions. But using the act can sometimes be difficult. California’s Public Records Act, signed by then-Gov. Ronald Reagan in 1968, gives the public …
California Democrats want to change the state constitution to safeguard a right that is already firmly protected across the state, just in case the U.S. Supreme Court decides to do away with it. Oh, and putting it on the ballot will probably help …
In summary Gov. Gavin Newsom proposed cuts to various transportation programs to help address a looming budget deficit. With COVID relief funds expiring, many agencies are already facing a fiscal cliff, and advocates worry that additional cuts could derail …
In summary Officials hope to double enrollment at Cal Poly Humboldt by 2027. Plans to reserve all on-campus housing for first-years were scaled back last week after current students staged protests – but some returning students may still end up living in …
In summary Gov. Gavin Newsom will soon lift the state of emergency he declared nearly three years ago due to COVID-19, but the negative effects will linger on for many years. Gov. Gavin Newsom says California’s COVID-19 state of emergency will end on Feb. …
EN RESUMEN Los padres de Los Ángeles y Oakland que recibieron efectivo mensualmente sin restricciones de los nuevos programas piloto dijeron que dichos programas hicieron más que ayudarlos a pagar las cuentas. Lo que ganaron, aseguran, no tiene precio: más …
In summary Facing criticism that stormwater flowed out to sea, the governor asked the water board to waive rules designed to protect salmon and other endangered fish. Environmentalists call it “a breakdown of law and order” while growers laud it as a way …
