Lake Oroville and Shasta Lake are filled to the brim, and the rivers of the Central Valley are roaring. Thanks to an exceptionally wet winter, for the first time in years, farms and cities are receiving their full water supply because there’s more than enough to meet the needs of people...
$31.5B Deficit After a $97.5B Surplus. How Did CA Get in This Mess?
This time last year, there was excitement and possibility over how to spend a record $97.5 billion budget surplus, a shocking figure coming at the end of a bruising COVID-19 pandemic. But this year, excitement has turned into a fight over what not to cut as the state stares down a $31.5 billion budget...
Gov. Newsom Gets Big Pushback on His Big Proposals
Two of Gov. Gavin Newsom’s major initiatives that he’s trying to jam through the Legislature are facing blowback this week. And as environmentalists and children’s advocates rally against his proposals, legislators are trying to wrap up budget negotiations with the governor before the new fiscal year starts July 1. First:...
Schools in Poorer Neighborhoods Struggle to Keep Teachers. How Offering Them More Money and Power Might Help.
Lea este artículo en español. Teachers don’t get into their profession for money or power, but a little more of both might help keep them at high-poverty schools, where students are more likely to fall behind grade level and less likely to graduate from high school or attend college. Across...
California Leaders Made Promises After Planada Flooded. They Need to Keep Them
Planada has been my home for 58 years. I’ve worked many different jobs, particularly in agriculture – as do many of the hard-working folks who make up the Planada community. So many of us have worked for years building up savings to purchase a home here. That is why it was...
Is Housing a Human Right? California Voters Could Decide
Lea este artículo en español. Life, liberty, the pursuit of happiness and … housing? California lawmakers are trying to enshrine the right to housing in the state’s constitution. But what exactly does that mean in a state that lacks the resources to give everyone a roof over their heads? Supporters say the constitutional...
CalMatters & Fresnoland Host a Housing Affordability Panel on Thursday
Once considered relatively affordable, Fresno has seen a rise in rents due to population growth and the slow pace of construction for both affordable and market-rate housing. Panel Will Discuss Solutions To address these issues, a panel discussion hosted by CalMatters and Fresnoland will be held on Thursday from 6...
CalMatters & Fresnoland Host a Housing Affordability Panel on Thursday
Once considered relatively affordable, Fresno has seen a rise in rents due to population growth and the slow pace of construction for both affordable and market-rate housing. Panel Will Discuss Solutions To address these issues, a panel discussion hosted by CalMatters and Fresnoland will be held on Thursday from 6...
A Catastrophic Hunger Crisis? California Food Banks Are Being Flooded by Families Seeking Help
Every two weeks, cars line up at The Hill Church in Vallejo for a drive-thru food distribution. While Whitney Houston songs play over a speaker, volunteers load 39 pounds of food into each trunk — canned tuna, eggs, potatoes and other staples. Elvira Santiago, a retired medical assistant living in...
Migrant Flights Reveal How Politicians Would Rather Toy With People Than Talk Solutions
With 2024 campaigns heating up, immigration politics are as well, and we can expect the election cycle to bring much fire and brimstone. Sadly, as has long been the case in U.S. history, immigrants will likely suffer as a result of the political maneuverings. Seeking to establish his tough immigration enforcement...