California’s white households get bigger property tax breaks than Black, Latino homeowners under Prop 13, study saysJune 22, 2022While homeownership remains a challenge for people of color in California, those who do achieve it don’t equitably reap the benefits, a new report argues, because of the state’s landmark law limiting property tax increases.
EnvironmentTunnel vision: What’s next for the governor’s plan to replumb the Delta?June 22, 2022It’s no quick fix. The scaled-down tunnel — which would bypass the Delta and funnel more water south — still has to clear a gauntlet of reviews, would cost at least $16 billion and could take 20 years.
State GovernmentState’s juvenile prison workers score $50,000 bonusesJune 19, 2022As California dismantles its youth prisons, the governor and six labor unions strike a deal to pay out lucrative retention bonuses capping at $50,000.
State GovernmentCalifornia legislators want to help you buy a house with down payment, ‘shared equity’June 18, 2022Legislators propose a $1-billion-a-year down payment program for first-time buyers, given the high cost of housing and rising mortgage interest rates, in exchange for a partial stake.
Calls overwhelm disability benefits call centersJune 14, 2022Calls to California’s Employment Development Department disability insurance call centers surged to 12 times their normal volume in late 2021 and early 2022 as the department dealt with fraud.
Food and SustainabilityCalifornia’s plan to provide food assistance to undocumented residents leaves some outJune 14, 2022California will offer food assistance to undocumented people over 55. Advocates want more. They say younger people need help, too.
State GovernmentCalifornia budget: Big surplus, big differencesJune 14, 2022Beating a Wednesday deadline, Democratic legislators pushed through a plan to spend the record California budget surplus, but key negotiations remain with Gov. Newsom. There are major differences on gas tax relief, education, climate change and more.
Health CareOverworked California firefighters struggle with PTSD, suicide, fatigue, intensifying wildfiresJune 13, 2022Cal Fire faces a mental health crisis. As wildfires intensify, thousands of California firefighters carry a heavy load of trauma and grief.
Chesa Boudin recall is not a death knell for California criminal justice reformJune 11, 2022While San Francisco voters recalled progressive DA Chesa Boudin, other criminal justice reform proponents did well in the California primary. The message sent by voters was far more nuanced than the national narrative.
Secrecy shrouds pandemic spending at some California schoolsJune 11, 2022California schools received more than $33 billion in COVID stimulus money. Some districts won’t say how they’ve spent it.
