Dear CalMatters reader,

At CalMatters, I have the privilege of reading and listening to all the emails, social media comments and voicemails that our readers send to the newsroom. 

As we close on another year, what I’m struck by the most is how many of you are brimming with frustrations, hopes, ideas and dreams about how to make California a better place – both for yourselves and also for your community. 

We know for a fact that there are lawmakers (and their staffers) subscribed to this newsletter. What do you want them to know about your hopes for California as we enter 2025? I’ll include some of your responses in next week’s email. 
 
Happy new year,

P.S. - This is the last week to have your tax-deductible gift to CalMatters tripled. Please support our vital mission to equip Californians with nonpartisan, independent news. Give now.

A welding teacher says hands-on career training can win back disengaged students but schools and the state erred by emphasizing college for all and letting trade education die at many California high schools.

California would have 45% more for its budget if certain tax breaks, called tax expenditures, were eliminated, a fiscal consultant for the Legislature said.