🏳️CalMatters - California Politics, Policy, and Political News

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CalMatters is the leading nonprofit, nonpartisan newsroom committed to explaining California politics and policy.

*   [Politics](https://calmatters.org/category/politics/)

*   [Education](https://calmatters.org/category/education/)

*   [Housing](https://calmatters.org/category/housing/)

*   [Economy](https://calmatters.org/category/economy/)

*   [Environment](https://calmatters.org/category/environment/)

*   [Inequality](https://calmatters.org/category/california-divide/)

*   [California Voices](https://calmatters.org/category/commentary/)

*   [Events](https://calmatters.org/events/)

[](https://calmatters.org/economy/2025/03/state-farm-can-hike-insurance-premiums-with-conditions/)

[State Farm can hike rates on California homeowners — if it pauses cancellations and proves need](https://calmatters.org/economy/2025/03/state-farm-can-hike-insurance-premiums-with-conditions/)

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by [Levi Sumagaysay](https://calmatters.org/author/levi-sumagaysay/)

[NEWSLETTERS](https://newsletters.calmatters.org/daily-wildfire-updates)

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[](https://calmatters.org/health/2025/03/medi-cal-budget-shortfall/)

[It’s costing California more than expected to provide immigrant health care. Is coverage at risk?](https://calmatters.org/health/2025/03/medi-cal-budget-shortfall/)

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by [Ana B. Ibarra](https://calmatters.org/author/anaibarra/) and [Kristen Hwang](https://calmatters.org/author/kristen-hwang/)

[](https://calmatters.org/politics/2025/03/california-school-shooting-threats/)

[Politics](https://calmatters.org/category/politics/)

[A loophole in California law makes it hard to prosecute threats against schools. Will lawmakers close it?](https://calmatters.org/politics/2025/03/california-school-shooting-threats/)

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by [Sameea Kamal](https://calmatters.org/author/sameea-kamal/)

[](https://calmatters.org/politics/2025/03/chiquita-canyon-landfill-california/)

[Politics](https://calmatters.org/category/politics/)

[A burning California landfill has made neighbors miserable for 3 years. Can lawmakers help?](https://calmatters.org/politics/2025/03/chiquita-canyon-landfill-california/)

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by [Ryan Sabalow](https://calmatters.org/author/ryan-sabalow/)

[](https://calmatters.org/education/2025/03/education-department/)

[Education](https://calmatters.org/category/education/)

[California, other states sue to halt massive layoffs at U.S. Department of Education](https://calmatters.org/education/2025/03/education-department/)

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by [Carolyn Jones](https://calmatters.org/author/carolyn-jones/) and [Mikhail Zinshteyn](https://calmatters.org/author/mikhailzinshteyn/)

##### Project Spotlight

#### [College athletes can now make millions off sponsorship deals](https://calmatters.org/education/higher-education/2025/03/nil-deals-california-college-athletes-sponsorships/)

CalMatters offers the first look at the numbers from California colleges.

##### California Voices

#### [When I lived in a homeless shelter, my hope became despair](https://calmatters.org/commentary/2025/02/homeless-shelter-california-hope-despair/)

An unhoused man who lives in Orange explains why he and many other Californians are so reluctant to stay in shelters.

CalMatters **Explains**

*   [Wildfires](https://calmatters.org/explainers/california-wildfires-explained/)

*   [Reparations](https://calmatters.org/explainers/reparations-california/)

*   [Housing Costs](https://calmatters.org/explainers/california-housing-costs-explainer/)

*   [Homelessness](https://calmatters.org/explainers/californias-homelessness-crisis-explained/)

*   [Minimum Wage](https://calmatters.org/explainers/california-minimum-wage-explainer/)

*   [Abortion Access](https://calmatters.org/explainers/abortion-in-california-laws/)

[See more explainers](https://calmatters.org/category/explainers/)

###### [CalMatters en Español](https://calmatters.org/category/calmatters-en-espanol/)

Las políticas públicas y las leyes de California, explicadas.

[Aprende Más](https://calmatters.org/category/calmatters-en-espanol/)

### [ENVIRONMENT](https://calmatters.org/category/environment/)

[](https://calmatters.org/environment/water/2025/03/california-delta-tunnel-residents-fear/)

[‘This will make our town uninhabitable’: The long-awaited Delta tunnel strikes fear in locals](https://calmatters.org/environment/water/2025/03/california-delta-tunnel-residents-fear/)

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by [Alastair Bland](https://calmatters.org/author/alastair-bland/)

[The Salton Sea is California’s most imperiled lake. Can a new conservancy turn back the tide?](https://calmatters.org/environment/2025/03/salton-sea-imperiled-lake/)

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by [Deborah Brennan](https://calmatters.org/author/deborah-brennan/)

[An audit found California was unprepared to help vulnerable people in a fire. Five years later, lawmakers finally talk about it](https://calmatters.org/digital-democracy/2025/03/california-wildfires-disabilities/)

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by [Sameea Kamal](https://calmatters.org/author/sameea-kamal/)

[Who should pay billions for climate disasters? California and others target Big Oil — will that work?](https://calmatters.org/environment/climate-change/2025/03/climate-change-california-oil-industry-legal-strategy/)

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by [Alejandro Lazo](https://calmatters.org/author/alejandro-lazo/)

[Californians approved $1.5 billion for wildfire prevention. How will the state spend it?](https://calmatters.org/digital-democracy/2025/02/california-wildfire-prevention-climate-bond/)

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by [Sameea Kamal](https://calmatters.org/author/sameea-kamal/)

[Why bills to help prevent California fires fail](https://calmatters.org/digital-democracy/2025/02/california-wildfire-prevention/)

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by [Sameea Kamal](https://calmatters.org/author/sameea-kamal/)

wildfires

---------

[](https://calmatters.org/environment/wildfires/2025/03/la-wildfires-cause-edison/)

### [As LA County sues Edison over deadly fire, is the state’s wildfire fund in jeopardy?](https://calmatters.org/environment/wildfires/2025/03/la-wildfires-cause-edison/)

##### Series Spotlight

#### [Race to Zero: California’s bumpy road to electrify cars and trucks](https://calmatters.org/series/california-electric-vehicles/)

Examine the impacts of California’s zero emission mandate on all segments of society and the economy.

### [INSIDE THE NEWSROOM](https://calmatters.org/category/inside-the-newsroom)

What goes into our reporting on California’s biggest issues – how investigative stories come together, what challenges journalists face, CalMatters’ latest plans and more.

[](https://calmatters.org/inside-the-newsroom/2025/01/secret-homeless-shelter-complaints/)

[CalMatters lawsuit forces LA officials to turn over secret homeless shelter complaints](https://calmatters.org/inside-the-newsroom/2025/01/secret-homeless-shelter-complaints/)

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[](https://calmatters.org/inside-the-newsroom/2024/10/calmatters-2024-spjnorcal-awards/)

[CalMatters honored with 9 awards celebrating our ‘unsung hero’ and journalism from commentary to investigative](https://calmatters.org/inside-the-newsroom/2024/10/calmatters-2024-spjnorcal-awards/)

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Nonpartisan, independent California news for all

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We’re CalMatters, your nonprofit and nonpartisan news guide.

Our journalists are here to empower you and our mission continues to be essential.

*   **We are independent and nonpartisan.** Our trustworthy journalism is free from partisan politics, free from corporate influence and actually free for all Californians.

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### [ECONOMY AND TECHNOLOGY](https://calmatters.org/category/economy/)

[](https://calmatters.org/economy/technology/2025/03/ai-regulation-after-trump-election/)

[California has 30 new proposals to rein in AI. Trump could complicate them](https://calmatters.org/economy/technology/2025/03/ai-regulation-after-trump-election/)

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by [Khari Johnson](https://calmatters.org/author/khari-johnson/)

[AI can rip you off. Here’s how California lawmakers want to stop price discrimination](https://calmatters.org/economy/technology/2025/03/artificial-intelligence-price-discrimination/)

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by [Khari Johnson](https://calmatters.org/author/khari-johnson/)

[California lawmakers propose fixes for ‘insurance industry in shambles’](https://calmatters.org/economy/2025/03/proposed-fixes-for-california-insurance-market/)

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by [Levi Sumagaysay](https://calmatters.org/author/levi-sumagaysay/)

[The DMV makes millions from auctioned cars, and doesn’t tell the owners](https://calmatters.org/california-divide/2025/03/dmv-towed-car/)

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by [Byrhonda Lyons](https://calmatters.org/author/byrhonda/)

[Return to office: Newsom orders California state workers back four days a week](https://calmatters.org/politics/2025/03/california-employees-remote-work/)

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by [Alexei Koseff](https://calmatters.org/author/alexei-koseff/)

[California’s fast food council after one year: A few meetings, three staff members hired](https://calmatters.org/california-divide/2025/03/california-fast-food-council-one-year/)

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by [Jeanne Kuang](https://calmatters.org/author/jeanne-kuang/)

series spotlight

----------------

[](https://calmatters.org/economy/2023/11/california-unemployment-covid/)

### [Internal documents reveal the story behind California’s unemployment crash](https://calmatters.org/economy/2023/11/california-unemployment-covid/)

##### Series Spotlight

#### [California’s Unemployment Crash](https://calmatters.org/series/california-unemployment-crash/)

A year-long CalMatters investigation finds that the state was primed for disaster by years of missed red flags and failed reforms.

### [HEALTH](https://calmatters.org/category/health/)

[](https://calmatters.org/health/2025/03/medicaid-cuts-republican-districts/)

[They live in California’s Republican districts. They feel betrayed by looming health care cuts](https://calmatters.org/health/2025/03/medicaid-cuts-republican-districts/)

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by [Kristen Hwang](https://calmatters.org/author/kristen-hwang/)

[California is spending billions on mental health housing. Will it reach those most in need?](https://calmatters.org/health/mental-health/2025/03/mental-health-housing-bond-spending/)

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by [Kristen Hwang](https://calmatters.org/author/kristen-hwang/)

[‘Will I be safe’? Transgender California youth feel threatened by Trump’s executive orders](https://calmatters.org/health/mental-health/2025/03/trump-transgender-mental-health/)

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by [Jocelyn Wiener](https://calmatters.org/author/jocelyn-wiener/) and [Kristen Hwang](https://calmatters.org/author/kristen-hwang/)

[California made a big bet on producing its own insulin. There’s no ‘date certain’ for delivery](https://calmatters.org/health/2025/03/california-insulin-production-delay/)

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by [Kristen Hwang](https://calmatters.org/author/kristen-hwang/)

[California has a lot to lose if Trump slashes Medicaid. Seniors, kids and more could face coverage cuts](https://calmatters.org/health/2025/02/medicaid-medi-cal-trump-cuts/)

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by [Ana B. Ibarra](https://calmatters.org/author/anaibarra/)

[California has known that disabled people need help in fires. After LA, can it better prepare for the next one?](https://calmatters.org/health/2025/02/california-wildfires-emergency-preparedness/)

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by [Ana B. Ibarra](https://calmatters.org/author/anaibarra/)

Explainer

---------

[](https://calmatters.org/explainers/california-health-care-coverage/)

### [Health care in California: How the state made almost everyone eligible for coverage](https://calmatters.org/explainers/california-health-care-coverage/)

##### Series Spotlight

#### [No Deliveries](https://calmatters.org/series/no-deliveries-maternity-care/)

Explore why hospitals are shutting down maternity wards, what this means for parents-to-be with limited options, and whether anything can be done to protect access.

### [CALIFORNIA DIVIDE](https://calmatters.org/projects/california-divide/)

[](https://calmatters.org/housing/2025/03/nonpayment-evictions-bill/)

[They tried to pay their overdue rent. Their landlord wouldn’t accept it](https://calmatters.org/housing/2025/03/nonpayment-evictions-bill/)

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by [Felicia Mello](https://calmatters.org/author/feliciacalmatters-org/)

[Californians rejected an anti-slavery ballot measure. Lawmakers want to try again](https://calmatters.org/justice/2025/02/anti-slavery-amendment-2/)

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by [Joe Garcia](https://calmatters.org/author/joe-garcia/)

[Mobile homes are some of California’s last affordable housing. Can they rebuild after LA fires?](https://calmatters.org/housing/2025/02/mobile-homes-la-fires/)

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by [Felicia Mello](https://calmatters.org/author/feliciacalmatters-org/)

[‘It was just a regular morning’: Californians picked up in recent ICE raids include kids, volunteers](https://calmatters.org/justice/2025/02/california-deportations-hit-people-with-deep-roots/)

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by [Wendy Fry](https://calmatters.org/author/wendy-fry/)

[Trump’s executive orders on immigration are creating fear. What you need to know about them](https://calmatters.org/california-divide/2025/02/trump-executive-orders-immigration/)

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by [Jeanne Kuang](https://calmatters.org/author/jeanne-kuang/)

[LA clinics lose funding for transgender health care as Trump executive orders take hold](https://calmatters.org/health/2025/02/trump-executive-order-transgender-health/)

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by [Kristen Hwang](https://calmatters.org/author/kristen-hwang/)

Explainer

---------

[](https://calmatters.org/explainers/reparations-california/)

### [California is the first state to tackle reparations for Black residents. What that really means](https://calmatters.org/explainers/reparations-california/)

by [Wendy Fry](https://calmatters.org/author/wendy-fry/), [Erica Yee](https://calmatters.org/author/ericayee/) and [Rya Jetha](https://calmatters.org/author/ryajetha/)

###### [Inequality Insights](https://calmatters.org/subscribe-to-calmatters/inequality-insights/)

A statewide media collaboration to raise awareness about poverty and income inequality through in-depth journalism and community outreach. [Sign up for our weekly newsletter.](https://calmatters.org/subscribe-to-calmatters/inequality-insights/)

### [HOUSING](https://calmatters.org/category/housing/)

[](https://calmatters.org/housing/2025/02/california-homeless-shelters-purgatory/)

[‘A volunteer jail’: Inside the scandals and abuse pushing California’s homeless out of shelters](https://calmatters.org/housing/2025/02/california-homeless-shelters-purgatory/)

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by [Lauren Hepler](https://calmatters.org/author/laurenhepler/)

[How California homeless programs are helping people get fit and off the streets: ‘It’s the bike’](https://calmatters.org/housing/homelessness/2025/03/california-homeless-exercise/)

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by [Marisa Kendall](https://calmatters.org/author/marisa-kendall/)

[Bay Area city backs down after proposing ban on ‘aiding and abetting’ homeless encampments](https://calmatters.org/housing/homelessness/2025/03/fremont-camping-ordinance-clause-removal/)

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by [Richard Procter](https://calmatters.org/author/richardprocter/)

[First-of-its kind court order halts sweep of California homeless camp](https://calmatters.org/housing/homelessness/2025/03/vallejo-injunction/)

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by [Marisa Kendall](https://calmatters.org/author/marisa-kendall/)

[‘Too damn hard to build’:  A key California Democrat’s push for speedier construction](https://calmatters.org/housing/2025/03/california-construction-permitting-wicks/)

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by [Ben Christopher](https://calmatters.org/author/ben-christopher/)

[‘Look, there’s nowhere else to go’: Inside California’s crackdown on homeless camps](https://calmatters.org/housing/homelessness/2025/02/california-homeless-encampment-sweeps/)

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by [Marisa Kendall](https://calmatters.org/author/marisa-kendall/) and [Katie Anastas](https://calmatters.org/author/katie-anastas/)

Housing shortage

----------------

[](https://calmatters.org/housing/2025/02/hoa-adu-california-law/)

### [No new ADUs here: When California law and homeowner association rules collide](https://calmatters.org/housing/2025/02/hoa-adu-california-law/)

by [Ben Christopher](https://calmatters.org/author/ben-christopher/)

Explainer

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### [Californians: Here’s why your housing costs are so high](https://calmatters.org/explainers/california-housing-costs-explainer/)

by [Ben Christopher](https://calmatters.org/author/ben-christopher/) and [Manuela Tobias](https://calmatters.org/author/manuela-tobias/)

### [POLITICS](https://calmatters.org/category/politics/)

[](https://calmatters.org/politics/2025/03/bipartisan-legislation-california-politics/)

[Bipartisanship is rare in the California Legislature. Here are the bills breaking the divide](https://calmatters.org/politics/2025/03/bipartisan-legislation-california-politics/)

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by [Ryan Sabalow](https://calmatters.org/author/ryan-sabalow/)

[Gavin Newsom shocks LGBTQ allies with criticism of transgender athletes](https://calmatters.org/politics/2025/03/newsom-transgender-athletes/)

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by [Alexei Koseff](https://calmatters.org/author/alexei-koseff/)

[California Democrats vowed to tackle affordability — but the agenda isn’t yet clear](https://calmatters.org/politics/2025/02/california-affordability-housing-costs-legislation/)

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by [Ryan Sabalow](https://calmatters.org/author/ryan-sabalow/) and [Sameea Kamal](https://calmatters.org/author/sameea-kamal/)

[California Democrats grow quieter on ‘sanctuary’ for immigrants as Trump promises mass deportation](https://calmatters.org/politics/2025/02/california-sanctuary-immigrants-democrats/)

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by [Yue Stella Yu](https://calmatters.org/author/yue-yu/)

[7 takeaways from our investigation into California homeless shelters](https://calmatters.org/housing/homelessness/2025/02/california-homeless-shelters-takeaways/)

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by [Lauren Hepler](https://calmatters.org/author/laurenhepler/)

[California lawmakers scramble to fix ‘lemon’ vehicle law — again](https://calmatters.org/politics/2025/02/california-car-warranty-claims-consumer-rights/)

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by [Ryan Sabalow](https://calmatters.org/author/ryan-sabalow/)

[](https://calmatters.org/politics/2025/03/california-legislative-transparency-public-corruption/)

[Have federal agents served warrants at California’s Capitol? The Legislature doesn’t want you to know](https://calmatters.org/politics/2025/03/california-legislative-transparency-public-corruption/)

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by [Ryan Sabalow](https://calmatters.org/author/ryan-sabalow/)

##### Project Spotlight

#### [Digital Democracy](https://calmatters.digitaldemocracy.org/)

Check out CalMatters’ custom-built AI tool that tracks every word spoken in public hearings, every dollar donated to politicians, every vote cast and more.

### [JUSTICE](https://calmatters.org/category/justice/)

[](https://calmatters.org/justice/2025/03/chp-accident-9th-circuit/)

[A CHP officer thought a stroke victim was on drugs. Years later, his family gets permission to sue](https://calmatters.org/justice/2025/03/chp-accident-9th-circuit/)

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by [Nigel Duara](https://calmatters.org/author/nigelduara/)

[A California union boss thought his $300K salary would count toward his pension. Here’s why it won’t](https://calmatters.org/justice/2025/03/calpers-police-pension/)

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by [Adam Ashton](https://calmatters.org/author/adam-ashton/)

[A California sheriff is planning to break the state’s sanctuary law. Here’s how](https://calmatters.org/justice/2025/02/sanctuary-state-amador-sheriff/)

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by [Nigel Duara](https://calmatters.org/author/nigelduara/)

[Immigration raids rattled Kern County. Now, the ACLU is suing over alleged abuses](https://calmatters.org/justice/2025/02/border-patrol-sued-over-kern-county-raids/)

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by [Wendy Fry](https://calmatters.org/author/wendy-fry/) and [Sergio Olmos](https://calmatters.org/author/sergio-olmos/)

[California court rules against baker in revival of same-sex wedding cake disputes](https://calmatters.org/justice/2025/02/california-civil-rights-cake/)

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by [Jeanne Kuang](https://calmatters.org/author/jeanne-kuang/)

[Is the US in a constitutional crisis? California’s attorney general says not yet](https://calmatters.org/justice/2025/02/constitutional-crisis-over-trump-lawsuits/)

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by [Ana B. Ibarra](https://calmatters.org/author/anaibarra/)

[](https://calmatters.org/politics/2025/01/california-trump-lawsuits/)

[Resistance state: Tracking California’s lawsuits against the new Trump administration](https://calmatters.org/politics/2025/01/california-trump-lawsuits/)

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by [CalMatters Staff](https://calmatters.org/author/calmattersstaff/)

##### Series Spotlight

#### [Locked Up and Dying](https://calmatters.org/series/california-jails-inmate-deaths/)

A CalMatters investigation explores the increase in deaths among California jail inmates and the state’s attempts to reverse the trend.

### [CALIFORNIA VOICES](https://calmatters.org/category/commentary/)

[](https://calmatters.org/commentary/2025/03/disability-employment-barriers-technology/)

[How technology can lower barriers to employment for Californians with disabilities](https://calmatters.org/commentary/2025/03/disability-employment-barriers-technology/)

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Guest Commentary

----------------

### [Gavin Newsom made it clear to California’s LGBTQ community where he actually stands](https://calmatters.org/commentary/2025/03/gavin-newsom-podcast-trans-community/)

Instead of leading with a vision of California many people actually want, Gov. Gavin Newsom has decided to scapegoat trans people for an imagined Midwest voter in a future presidential run, says a queer Sacramento parent.

### [California doesn’t need DOGE, but there’s plenty of wasteful spending and bureaucracy to cut](https://calmatters.org/commentary/2025/03/doge-efficiency-california-government-waste/)

DOGE’s aim to save taxpayers money resonates in California, where taxes soar and deficits loom. The idea of a top-to-bottom audit of every department isn’t radical — it’s overdue.

### [Politicians that assail judges and lawful court rulings are not making California any safer](https://calmatters.org/commentary/2025/03/politicians-judges-court-rulings-safer/)

It may be common for an arresting law enforcement officer or local prosecutor to express their disappointment in a particular ruling or verdict, but it is irresponsible, dangerous and the last refuge of the perpetually aggrieved to publicly attack the legitimate rulings of a particular judge, much less disparage an entire body of them.

###### [We want to hear from you!](https://calmatters.org/submission-guidelines/)

Want to submit a guest commentary or reaction to an article we wrote? You can find our [submission guidelines here](https://calmatters.org/submission-guidelines/). For questions, please email [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected])

[Learn more](https://calmatters.org/submission-guidelines/)

DAN WALTERS

-----------

### [Playing political Whac-A-Mole as issue of bond measure language pops up again](https://calmatters.org/commentary/2025/03/california-bond-measure-language/)

Lawmakers keep introducing bills to make it hard for voters to tell from ballot language how much a proposed bond issue or tax increase would cost them.

### [EDUCATION](https://calmatters.org/category/education/)

[](https://calmatters.org/education/k-12-education/2025/03/school-counselors-ai-chatbots/)

[AI chatbots can cushion the high school counselor shortage — but are they bad for students?](https://calmatters.org/education/k-12-education/2025/03/school-counselors-ai-chatbots/)

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by [Tara García Mathewson](https://calmatters.org/author/tara-garcia-mathewson/)

[College athletes can now make millions off sponsorship deals. Here’s the first look at California’s numbers](https://calmatters.org/education/higher-education/2025/03/nil-deals-california-college-athletes-sponsorships/)

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by [Adam Echelman](https://calmatters.org/author/adam-echelman/) and [Erica Yee](https://calmatters.org/author/ericayee/)

[California’s fund to build student housing runs dry — leaving community colleges in the lurch](https://calmatters.org/education/higher-education/2025/02/student-housing-4/)

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by [Adam Echelman](https://calmatters.org/author/adam-echelman/)

[Advice to California schools on Trump’s DEI crackdown: Do nothing — yet](https://calmatters.org/education/k-12-education/2025/02/diversity-programs/)

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by [Carolyn Jones](https://calmatters.org/author/carolyn-jones/)

[‘Break this cycle’: UC Riverside hopes early exposure to college boosts Inland Empire grad rates](https://calmatters.org/education/2025/02/early-exposure-college-inland-empire/)

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by [Deborah Brennan](https://calmatters.org/author/deborah-brennan/)

[How Trump’s drastic K-12 plans will — and won’t — change California schools](https://calmatters.org/education/k-12-education/2025/02/trump-education/)

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by [Carolyn Jones](https://calmatters.org/author/carolyn-jones/)

K-12

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[](https://calmatters.org/education/k-12-education/2025/02/deportation/)

### [‘Afraid to go to school’: Immigrant families in the Salinas Valley are gripped by fear](https://calmatters.org/education/k-12-education/2025/02/deportation/)

by [Carolyn Jones](https://calmatters.org/author/carolyn-jones/)

###### [About College Beat](https://calmatters.org/category/college-beat/)

College Beat is produced by the CalMatters College Journalism Network, a collaboration between CalMatters and student journalists from across California. [Read more.](https://calmatters.org/category/college-beat/)