Project Spotlight
Hidden Hazards: Toxic waste
Where do California’s millions of tons of toxic trash each year land?Often in poor communities, or out of state, or across the border.
Commentary Spotlight
Warehouse boom forced one California town to risk its past
Bloomington controversy showed the financial appeal but also the cultural tradeoffs for communities facing expansion.
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Leslie, Washington, CA
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JUSTICE
Commentary
Repealing Prop. 47 is a misguided battle cry. It won’t make California safer
Approached in a calm, rational manner, the headline-making wave of shoplifting and other property crimes suggests more prevention programs are needed to address the root…
HOUSING
Commentary
The U.S. Supreme Court just gave California a major opportunity to lower housing costs
A recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling on housing impact fees has given California lawmakers an opening to address a key barrier to construction: cost.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
Californians are divided on LGBTQ issues at schools, but there’s a path to parental support
While tremendous progress has been made on Californians’ attitudes, many are still uncomfortable with schools being a place for LGBTQ inclusion. If red states keep banning these conversations, California can help the nation see what a careful strategy looks like.
EXPLAINERS
Explore CalMatters’ explainer “card decks” to discover the data-driven context you need to make sense of big issues confronting California.
COMMENTARY
Guest Commentary
California wants to reform ticket sales for live events. Billion-dollar sports teams are fighting back
Since Ticketmaster and Live Nation merged in 2010, ticket sales for live events in California have skyrocketed. A bill seeking to restore competition and finally give fans more choice on the market faces fierce opposition from California’s billion-dollar sports franchises.
The children affected by Aliso Canyon’s historic gas leak are voting age. They want California to ban fracking
Many of the Southern California children that were affected by the Aliso Canyon gas leak are now registering to vote for the first time and are looking for election candidates to back an outright ban on fracking.
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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 or call (916) 234-3081.
DAN WALTERS
California charter school battles intensify as education finances get squeezed
California public school financing has been clobbered in recent years, and intensified a long-running battle over charter schools.
COLLEGE BEAT
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Newsom tries to protect abortion rights for Arizona, not just California
Gov. Gavin Newsom sought to make California a haven for abortion rights. Now he’s trying to bring women in neighboring Arizona under those protections. Wednesday, members of the Legislative Women’s…
