Health CareWill COVID sick leave return to California?January 12, 2022Gov. Gavin Newsom, Democratic leaders in the Legislature and labor unions are negotiating how to bring back extra paid sick leave for COVID. One big issue: Will businesses get state help to offset their costs?.
State GovernmentEmpower workers or government overreach? California’s fast food bill tests labor lawsJanuary 11, 2022Amid growing awareness of inequality and jobs that don’t pay enough to cover child care and housing, California is considering a radical proposal: Allow the state to negotiate wages, hours and work conditions for an entire industry.
Health CareCalifornia weighs order canceling elective surgeries as COVID surgesJanuary 10, 2022As a third of hospitals report critical staffing shortages, California’s health department is considering issuing an order postponing many elective surgeries. Many procedures, including a lung transplant, already have been canceled.
State GovernmentCOVID surge upends some California courts – againJanuary 9, 2022While some California courts pull back amid the Omicron surge, others forge ahead with business as usual.
Unboosted: California COVID-19 booster rate falls below 40% in most countiesJanuary 8, 2022In 19 California counties, less than a third of vaccinated residents are boosted. In some counties, it’s less than 25%. One health official blames “pandemic fatigue.”
California schools risk ‘colossal’ loss of dollars as enrollment dropsJanuary 5, 2022Without help from the state, California’s school districts could face a sudden drop in funding after two years of not being penalized for declining enrollment.
State GovernmentThe California Legislature is back: What to expect in 2022January 5, 2022As the Legislature reconvenes, Californians can expect lawmakers to continue focusing on housing and climate, plus COVID-19, healthcare and how to spend another budget surplus.
State GovernmentCalifornia redistricting: What to know about the final mapsDecember 21, 2021The California redistricting commission adopted final congressional and legislative maps for the next decade, starting with 2022 elections.
State GovernmentDid California get its money’s worth from $1.7 billion COVID test contract?December 19, 2021The Valencia lab, a public-private venture between the state and PerkinElmer, processed only 1 to 8% of all Californians’ COVID tests in the first 10 months of the contract. And the lab was riddled with dozens of problems, according to an inspection.
State GovernmentFour California universities missed out on as much as $47 million in coronavirus aid. Here’s whyDecember 18, 2021A state audit says four California universities could have received millions more in federal pandemic money and helped more students. University of California and California State University officials could still recoup some of the cash.
