‘Relic of slavery’: California lawmakers are trying again to raise pay for incarcerated workers
CALmatters is a Sacramento-based nonpartisan, nonprofit journalism venture committed to explaining how California's state Capitol works and why it matters. It works with more than 130 media partners throughout the state that have long, deep relationships with their local audiences, including Embarcadero Media (publisher of the Palo Alto Weekly, Mountain View Voice, Pleasanton Weekly and The Almanac in Menlo Park and their websites.)
Here are the most recent stories reported by CALmatters' team of journalists:
CA’s roller coaster economy under Trump
When Gov. Gavin Newsom laid out his revised state budget proposal last week, he emphasized how President Donald Trump and his administration made forecasting California’s economic future even harder. To see that chaotic uncertainty in action, all one needs to look at is the daily investment returns posted by the California Public Employees’ Retirement System. […]
Mon, May 19, 2025 6:00 am
Should California’s climate budget pay for high speed rail and firefighters? Newsom’s new plan triggers fiery debate
Gov. Gavin Newsom wants to extend California's landmark cap and trade program through 2045. But earmarking half of this year's funds to the beleaguered rail project and Cal Fire would leave too little for other climate projects, critics say.
Mon, May 19, 2025 5:38 am
‘Shocking’ and ‘plain cruel’: Health advocates say Newsom’s Medi-Cal budget could cripple women’s reproductive care
Newsom's Medi-Cal budget plan would shift money for voter-approved increases in doctors' pay and reproductive care to cover other expenses. The cost of the low-income health insurance program has been growing rapidly.
Mon, May 19, 2025 5:36 am
They drove for hours to speak in the Capitol. California lawmakers cut them off
As lawmakers rush through thousands of bills in Sacramento and make decisions in secret, regular Californians are often silenced.
Mon, May 19, 2025 5:35 am
Californians deserve a clearer view of what’s driving skyrocketing insurance costs
Guest Commentary written by Jordan Haedtler Jordan Haedtler is a climate financial policy strategist with Climate Cabinet and a former legislative staffer in the state Assembly. Climate change has thrown insurance markets into dysfunction, and the situation is about to get more dire. As the epicenter of a global insurance crisis, it is critical that […]
Mon, May 19, 2025 5:30 am
California lets students wear tribal regalia at graduations. Why it’s still controversial
Many school districts require students to undergo a lengthy process if they want to wear tribal or other cultural regalia at graduation. A new bill would eliminate those obstacles.
Fri, May 16, 2025 2:50 pm
CA Democrats save face on sex trafficking bill
From CalMatters politics reporter Yue Stella Yu: In the state Legislature, an open rebellion sometimes does wonders. Two weeks ago, Assemblymember Maggy Krell, a first-year Sacramento Democrat, publicly defied Democratic leaders in attempting to pass harsher penalties for soliciting sex from 16- and 17-year-olds. Joined by some moderate Democrats and Republicans, the fight laid bare […]
Fri, May 16, 2025 6:00 am
Faced with budget woes, Gavin Newsom wants more tax credits for Hollywood
Gov. Gavin Newsom’s latest budget proposal lays out deep cuts to public universities and health care. It also seeks to more than double the tax credits for Hollywood studios — an expansion moving smoothly through the state Legislature.
Fri, May 16, 2025 5:35 am
Google’s $125 million deal with California for local news is already shrinking
Google and California struck a deal last year to fund local news. Now the state is pulling back some of its commitments. Google could follow suit.
Fri, May 16, 2025 5:30 amStay informed.
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