Project Spotlight
Locked Up and Dying
California jails are holding fewer people than they have in decades, but jails are deadlier than ever. Why can’t the state reverse this?
California Voices
As PG&E bills soar, will California hold anyone accountable?
Lynem: More than 1 million customers are behind on their utility bills as lawmakers consider proposals to lower costs.
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CALIFORNIA VOICES
Guest Commentary
How California is building career pathways to its next big economic sector: the ocean
The so-called “blue” economy is one of the fastest growing economic sectors in California. The state’s community colleges have aligned with businesses to prepare the next generation of workers.
Menstrual health isn’t part of California sex education. Why that needs to change
Many young Californians aren’t properly taught about periods and feel isolated without a trusted source of information. A bill that would update a 2016 law to include age-appropriate facts about menstruation in sex education has garnered wide support, especially from teens.
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Want to submit a guest commentary or reaction to an article we wrote? You can find our submission guidelines here. For questions, please email commentary@calmatters.org
DAN WALTERS
San Francisco’s school system flirts with insolvency. It’s not the only one in California
State education officials are intervening to address San Francisco Unified’s chronic budget problems and stave off insolvency. But it’s not the only example of fiscal mismanagement in California K-12 system.
POLITICS AND THE CAPITOL
PROJECT SPOTLIGHT
Commentary
Garvey effect: Schiff’s strategy sunk down-ballot Democrats but could lead to more GOP losses
Democratic Rep. Adam Schiff’s strategy to prop up Steve Garvey encouraged more conservative voters to cast ballots in March, helping Republicans advance to the run-off in numerous down-ballot races. While Schiff’s strategy was sharply criticized, the lack of competition may end up boosting Democrats in other key races.
At 90, California political icon Willie Brown still dominates every room he enters
As Willie Brown turns 90 years old, the California political giant reflected on his career, the state of politics and his induction into the California Hall of Fame. Many in the political realm still seek his counsel.
ECONOMY
Commentary
How I explained AI and deepfakes to Oakland elders using only basic Vietnamese
Despite a year of headlines about AI, immigrant communities, particularly seniors, have been outside the conversation, leaving them vulnerable to dangerous uses.
EDUCATION
Commentary
USC decision to deploy police on Gaza war protesters distorts public perception against students
A University of Southern California student says the actions and statements by administrators in recent weeks, including the decision to send police to arrest 93 pro-Palestinian protesters, has wrongly skewed public sentiments against their own students.
HOUSING
Commentary
California needs constitutional change if it wants to get serious about homelessness
A California woman who was previously homeless says a proposed constitutional amendment is a critical step to ensure the state has enough housing for every person.
HEALTH
Commentary
California schools aren’t equipped to handle mental health issues. That needs to change
The youth mental health crisis is well documented, yet most California schools lack the resources, training and capacity to identify concerns and respond. Greater investment, including funds to hire more school counselors, could make a difference.
EXPLAINERS
Explore CalMatters’ explainer “card decks” to discover the data-driven context you need to make sense of big issues confronting California.
ENVIRONMENT
Commentary
How California’s prized solution for methane gas is backfiring on farmers
The farm subsidies for a California program aiming to reduce methane gas emissions have skewed the market, making pollution as valuable as dairy in some cases, and eroded the ability for family farms to compete.
JUSTICE
Commentary
California restricts how police respond to protests. Why were bean bag shotguns used at UCLA?
A 2021 California law restricts when police can use rubber bullets, bean bag rounds and tear gas on protesters. A retired LAPD officer questions why…
CALIFORNIA DIVIDE
A statewide media collaboration to raise awareness about poverty and income inequality through in-depth journalism and community outreach.
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Commentary
California foster youth and COVID orphans gaining a sense of hope from trust fund program
A California program providing trust funds, or “baby bonds,” for foster youth and COVID orphans is giving traumatized young people a chance to pursue their dreams just like everyone else.
COLLEGE BEAT
More Coverage
WHATMATTERS NEWSLETTER
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How bad will Gov. Newsom’s budget cuts be?
Gov. Gavin Newsom plans to unveil his revised proposed 2024-25 state budget at 11 a.m. today — and legislators, advocates and lobbyists are all bracing for likely deep spending cuts…
