State Government

California reparations task force aims at more than dollars, seeks policies to prevent harm

January 27, 2023

The task force members are discussing monetary and nonmonetary reparations ideas to compensate for slavery and racism. Some say they want policies to prevent future harms against Black Californians.

State Government

State Justice Department hasn’t probed — or even logged — all police shootings of possibly unarmed people

January 27, 2023

The department told CalMatters it can’t say how many cases it chose not to investigate during the past 18 months under a new state law, which aimed to ensure state oversight of police shootings.

Race and Equity

School funding proposal aims to achieve equity, but does it go far enough?

January 25, 2023

Last year, a bill would have directed more funding to the student group with the lowest standardized test scores, which would have been Black students. Instead, the governor is proposing extra money for high-poverty schools.

Environment

Growers brace to give up some Colorado River water

January 22, 2023

The Colorado River’s water transformed the Imperial Valley desert into one of California’s most productive farm regions. But now growers will have to sacrifice 10% of their supply because of shortages in the river’s supply.

UC housing problem persists for graduate students

January 21, 2023

The recent agreement between striking graduate student workers in the UC system did little to solve their housing woes.

Health Care

After Madera’s hospital closure, could others follow?

January 20, 2023

Under financial strain, the lone hospital in this Central Valley county closed its doors this month. Legislators and industry officials say other hospitals across the state may suffer the same fate.

State Government

Why you should file taxes even if you don’t owe any

January 14, 2023

Tax returns are used by the state government to send Californians money. But some of the people who could most use the money don’t get it.

Environment

Why hospitals are struggling to meet earthquake safety deadline

January 9, 2023

It’s been close to 30 years since California enacted the bulk of its seismic safety standards, but hospitals continue to ask for more time and flexibility.

State Government

Gavin Newsom, the sequel: Governor starts second term as leader of liberal America

January 6, 2023

After leading a “March for Democracy” on the second anniversary of the U.S. Capitol insurrection, Gavin Newsom portrayed himself as a partisan warrior on the national stage, but a unifier in California in his second inaugural speech.

State Government

The California Legislature is back: Five key questions

January 5, 2023

The California Legislature reconvenes with record diversity, but with several key questions and many significant challenges.