EnvironmentState rejects local plans for protecting San Joaquin Valley groundwaterMarch 5, 2023Groundwater plans, largely serving low-income Latino communities, were deemed inadequate for preventing dry wells and sinking land.
Food and SustainabilityCalFresh emergency benefits end this month — here’s what to knowMarch 3, 2023 | Janelle SalangaHow your benefits might change, where to access free food in the area, how to get involved in community efforts to share food and more. Listen /Update RequiredTo play audio, update browser or Flash plugin.
Race and EquityReparations Task Force to meet in Sacramento Friday and Saturday to continue finalizing recommendationsMarch 3, 2023 | Sarah Mizes-Tan“Not everything is about a check:" Task force members will deliberate on the many ways California could pay reparations to Black descendants of slavery.
State GovernmentWhat’s working and what’s next in California’s fight for affordable housing?March 2, 2023 | Nicole NixonHousing advocates say California’s environmental law gets in the way of building enough housing. Sen. Scott Wiener said he will introduce reforms to make CEQA “pro-housing and pro-climate.”
State GovernmentHome care workers could get more bargaining power with proposed billFebruary 27, 2023 | Kate WolffeA growing population of people need in-home care in California. Many people doing that work earn low wages and have few labor protections. A proposed new law could allow in-home health care workers to bargain with the state for better pay and more ri
State GovernmentCalifornia tripled its spending on Sacramento’s homelessness crisis. Here’s where the money went.February 27, 2023 | Chris NicholsAffordable housing accounts for the largest increase in the region’s allocated funding for homelessness.
State GovernmentCalifornia dangles bonuses for nursing homes that add staffFebruary 26, 2023Rather than simply reward top-performing facilities, the state’s Medicaid program will hand bonuses to nursing homes — even low-rated ones — for hiring more workers and reducing staff turnover.
State GovernmentNewsom’s oil profit penalty plan could face tough slog in LegislatureFebruary 22, 2023 | Nicole NixonA proposal from Governor Gavin Newsom to impose a “price-gouging penalty” on oil companies received a skeptical reception from state lawmakers during its first hearing.
Health CareIs California breaking its promise to cut health care costs?February 21, 2023The state set up a fund to cut costs for those enrolled in Covered California, but that money has been diverted.
EnvironmentFloods, fires, droughts show California needs bigger safety net for farmworkers, advocates sayFebruary 17, 2023January’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.