Economy

The Secretary of State building in Sacramento on Nov. 7, 2022. Photo by Miguel Gutierrez Jr., CalMatters

Education

The effort to bring back affirmative action in limited form is dead

The measure’s author said it would compete with other priorities this year, including an effort to fend off a proposed constitutional amendment to punish retail thieves and another to restrict forced labor in prisons. He wants to propose it for a future election season.

By Mikhail Zinshteyn • June 25, 2024

Technology

Still need your landline? California regulators just stopped AT&T from pulling the plug

The California Public Utilities Commission rejected the telecom’s bid to stop providing service in many parts of the state.

By Khari Johnson • June 20, 2024

Technology

Could AI reject your resume? California tries to prevent a new kind of discrimination

State regulators propose rules on evaluating workers and job applicants with AI.

By Khari Johnson • June 20, 2024

Owner Lina Mills speaks with customers outside of Creative Ideas Catering in San Francisco on Tuesday, June 11, 2024. The governor’s new proposed budget would cut more than half of the funding of California’s Small Business Technical Assistance Program, which benefits small businesses like Creative Ideas Catering. Photo by Juliana Yamada for CalMatters.

Economy

‘Wouldn’t be where I am today:’ California’s small business owners fight to save state aid

A program that helps small businesses is just one of the proposed budget cuts on which California’s governor and Legislature disagree.

By Levi Sumagaysay • June 14, 2024

A house burns on Platina Road at the Zogg Fire near Ono in 2020. Photo by Ethan Swope, AP Photo

Economy

California pushes insurers to cover more homes in these areas. Is your ZIP included?

California can't legally require insurers to write either residential or commercial property policies. But the state expects insurers to comply with the options unveiled today because they get something they want in return: catastrophe modeling.

By Levi Sumagaysay • June 12, 2024

Sacramento County Sheriff's deputies in Sacramento on Feb. 28, 2022. Photo by Rahul Lal, Sipa USA via Reuters

Technology

These wrongly arrested Black men say a California bill would let police misuse face recognition

Three men falsely arrested based on face recognition technology have joined the fight against a California bill that aims to place guardrails around police use of the technology. They say it will still allow abuses and misguided arrests.

By Khari Johnson • June 11, 2024

Uber, Lyft, and DoorDash drivers strike during what they call "A National Day of Action" to protest fair pay and treatment by their rideshare companies in Los Angeles on Feb. 14, 2024. Photo by Mike Blake, Reuters

Economy

California gig worker law withstands challenge from Uber at federal appeals court

A 2020 California law compels businesses to offer employment benefits to more workers rather than treating them like independent contractors. Uber lost an effort to overturn the law.

By Levi Sumagaysay • June 10, 2024

Economy

The future for California workers is apprenticeships

A panel of labor experts at the CalMatters Ideas Festival say California workers should have more access to more apprenticeships that pay more. Barriers still exist, especially for women and low-income Californians.

By Carolyn Jones • June 6, 2024

Left to right, CalMatters reporter Khari Johnson moderates a panel about AI accountability featuring Ashkan Soltani, executive director of the California Privacy Protection Agency, Gerard de Graaf, senior envoy for digital to the U.S. and head of the EU office in San Francisco, Samantha Gordon, chief program officer of TechEquity, Secretary of Government Operations Amy Tong and State Sen. Steve Padilla at CalMatters’ Ideas Festival at the Sheraton Grand Hotel in Sacramento on June 5, 2024. Photo by Fred Greaves for CalMatters

Technology

What AI policymakers need to be thinking about in California and beyond

Panel of lawmakers and experts said discussions about regulating AI should center people first and foremost.

By Levi Sumagaysay • June 6, 2024

Migrants form a line to enter the U.S. and seek asylum through El Chaparral port of entry in San Diego at the Mexico border on Dec. 22, 2022. Photo by Carlos A. Moreno for CalMatters

California Divide

What Biden’s border order means for California

President Biden’s executive action could allow border agents to immediately return migrants to Mexico without considering their asylum claims. While the White House says the new measures will bring order, advocates for migrants say it could cause more chaos and danger.

By Wendy Fry • June 4, 2024