CALmatters is a nonpartisan, nonprofit (501(c)(3) news organization that provides insightful and thought-provoking journalism that explain the major issues facing all Californians in the areas of education, environment, health and human welfare, and economics.
Our team of veteran journalists is committed to meaningfully informing Californians about the players, politics, and interests that shape the issues that affect their lives.
COMMENTARY: As we attempt to mitigate the widespread effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, our legislators must address several urgent issues.
A fee added to utility bills — less than $1 per month — would be extended until 2045.
Schools in rural areas like Bonny Doon must now contend with wildfires and related problems like blackouts.
Conceptually, writing legislation to implement the annual state budget makes perfect sense.
COMMENTARY: The ability of African nations to conserve ecosystems would be undermined by a bill in CA.
This spring, as the coronavirus pandemic disrupted campus life for college students across California.
COMMENTARY: The COVID-19 pandemic has allowed domestic violence to hide behind closed doors and slowly be forgotten.
COMMENTARY: a probation officer in a dark suit and sunglasses started following me around every day.
CalMatters invited readers to share their experience on getting by without the extra $600-per-week in unemployment assistance.
If there was ever a good time to convince people guaranteed income can make a difference, Stockton Mayor Michael Tubbs figured it’d be now.
The good news for millions of out-of-work California workers is that the federal government is offering them an additional $300 per week.
COMMENTARY: Gov. Gavin Newsom recently released his Water Resilience Plan, a platform of 142 proposals gathered from state agencies.
Re “Proposal to prohibit police unions from funding district attorney campaigns doesn’t go far enough”; Commentary, June 5, 2020
COMMENTARY: There is good COVID-19 news and some potential bad news.
Efforts aim to dispatch mental health teams — not armed officers — for most crises calls involving mental illness and homelessness.
The 2020 session of the California Legislature is radically different from any other in the state’s 170-year history.
COMMENTARY: Will California live up to its promise as a forward-looking leader setting the pace?
COMMENTARY: A great deal of attention has been focused on the provision of unemployment benefits and evictions.
COMMENTARY: A feeling of déjà vu crept over me when reports of rolling blackouts swept across the state – like I’d seen this show before.
California politicians are gambling on high-risk stopgaps to relieve the impacts of COVID-19’s recession.
