In summary The California Legislature reconvenes with record diversity, but with several key questions and many significant challenges. A soaring homeless population. A bitter battle with the oil industry over gasoline prices. A spending plan for a state …
One shared takeaway from the otherwise very different starts to new legislative sessions in Sacramento and Washington, D.C.: What a difference 20 votes makes. The Legislature that reconvened Wednesday in the California Capitol is the most diverse in state …
In summary Although inmates are eligible for Medi-Cal after they are released, they often have long waits before their health services begin. The change is expected to improve care and reduce expensive emergency room visits. California is preparing to …
In summary Roughly 60,000 children are in California’s foster care system. For years, state leaders have failed to make progress or increase support for them. In 2023, it must be a priority. Guest Commentary written by After years of stalled progress on …
In summary Transit expenses are one part of the high cost of college that is pushing many low-income students out of the state’s higher education systems. Some campuses have partnered with local transit agencies to reduce or waive all fares for students, …
EN RESUMEN Los funcionarios estatales de salud lanzaron el año pasado un primer proceso de licitación competitivo para sus contratos de seguro de Medi-Cal, con el objetivo de implementar estándares más altos. Pero cuando se anunciaron los ganadores, varias …
En Resumen La nueva Legislatura estatal es la más diversa que ha existido, pero por algunas medidas, todavía no representa completamente a cómo luce California. Read this article in English. La Legislatura de California que se vuelve a reunir hoy es la más …
How did the historic levels of diversity happen? There was a lot of turnover, including legislators resigning or seeking higher office, which created open seats without incumbents and more opportunity for political newcomers. One-fourth of members are …
In summary Proposition 13, an iconic tax limitation measure passed by California voters 44 years ago, is still generating legal and political skirmishes. California’s famous – or infamous – Proposition 13, passed by voters 44 years ago, sought to impose …
The massive, bomb-cyclone-fueled storm set to unleash on California today — dumping more rain and snow across much of the already-soaked state while whipping it with winds as high as 70 mph — illuminates some of the underlying climate and environmental …
In summary State health officials last year launched a first-ever competitive bidding process for its Medi-Cal insurance contracts, aiming to implement higher standards. But when the winners were announced, several insurers complained about the process and …
In summary With one-quarter of Californians living in areas considered high-risk for wildfire, state leaders need to emphasize policies that generate more middle-income housing inside cities and create pathways to homeownership. Guest Commentary written by …
In summary As a “bomb cyclone” descends on Northern California today, storms have already tested a region highly vulnerable to flooding. One report says the Central Valley needs $30 billion in improvements over 30 years. Raising questions about whether …
In the beginning, there was state government. Before there was a federal government, a collection of states organized under the Articles of Confederation in 1781. But the 13 separate entities with different interests soon realized they needed an …
In summary The series of rain and snow storms buffeting California this month contains lessons for politicians, if they pay attention. California, particularly Northern California, was walloped by a major winter rain and snow storm last week and …
Welcome to 2023 — a year that will likely prove decisive in California’s attempts to address some of its most pervasive challenges, ranging from housing and homelessness to climate change. Wednesday, state lawmakers are set to return to Sacramento (though …
In summary CalMatters is the go-to election resource for California residents, from first-time voters to people who’ve never missed an election. CalMatters brought millions of voters together for the 2022 election, united to use nonpartisan information for …
Read this explainer in English. En 2022, la Legislatura de California aprobó casi 1,200 proyectos de ley, y casi 1,000 se convirtieron en ley con la firma del gobernador Gavin Newsom. Muchas de las nuevas leyes son correcciones menores a leyes que los …
Read this explainer in Spanish. In 2022, the California Legislature passed nearly 1,200 bills — and nearly 1,000 became law with Gov. Gavin Newsom’s signature. Many of the new laws are minor fixes to laws that legislators and the governor previously …
In summary California’s current state budget was enacted six months ago on the assumption that the state had a massive surplus, but it now faces a multi-billion-dollar deficit. While California has a surplus of critical issues demanding political attention …
