blog post How Has California Narrowed Its K–12 Digital Divide? By Niu Gao, Joseph Hayes, Darriya Starr Apr 5, 2022 Since the onset of the pandemic, educators and policymakers have made substantial strides in addressing two key barriers to universal digital access—affordability and infrastructure.
blog post Video: Californians and Their Government By Stephanie Barton Apr 1, 2022 PPIC researcher Dean Bonner discusses new statewide survey findings that show majority support for US sanctions against Russian—even if it means higher energy prices—and widespread concern about affording housing expenses.
blog post Video: COVID in California—What Have We Learned about the Economy? By Vicki Hsieh Apr 1, 2022 California State Controller Betty T. Yee talks with PPIC’s Lande Ajose about the key economic lessons learned from the pandemic and how the state can chart a path forward.
blog post High Prices Causing Financial Hardships for Many Californians By Rachel Lawler Mar 29, 2022 Around one in three Californians report experiencing serious financial hardship due to rising consumer prices, while one in four residents say they are very concerned about paying their rent or mortgage.
event Statewide Survey: Californians and Their Government Mar 24, 2022 In the latest survey, PPIC examines whether Californians support the US imposing economic sanctions on Russia in the face of potentially higher energy prices. The survey also probes views on financial hardship amid rising inflation, along with opinions on housing affordability and the presence of homeless people in local communities. Associate survey director Dean Bonner will present key findings and discuss takeaways.
Statewide Survey PPIC Statewide Survey: Californians and Their Government By Mark Baldassare, Dean Bonner, Rachel Lawler, Deja Thomas Mar 23, 2022 Key findings include Majorities of Californians across party lines support sanctioning Russia for its invasion of Ukraine, even if sanctions lead to higher energy prices. A third of Californians—and nearly half of lower-income residents—say recent price increases have caused serious financial hardship in their households. Over half of Californians are concerned about covering their housing costs, and six in ten say homelessness is a big problem in their part of the state. Partisans are divided on the need for restrictions to control the spread of COVID-19.
blog post “When You Know Better, Do Better”: A Water Agency’s Journey Through the Pandemic By Sarah Bardeen Mar 14, 2022 When Clifford Chan took over as EBMUD’s general manager just a few months into the COVID-19 shutdown in 2020, he had no idea how the pandemic would transform this large urban water utility. Two years later, he reflects on how EBMUD pivoted—and found innovative ways to support its customers.
blog post Building a Community-Owned Broadband Network in Imperial County By Joseph Hayes, Mary Severance, Niu Gao Jan 28, 2022 We talked with Luis Wong, chief technology officer with the Imperial County Office of Education, about efforts in this largely rural area to bridge the digital divide.
blog post Water in 2021: Looking Back on a Year of Extremes By Ellen Hanak Jan 3, 2022 In California, 2021 was the year that climate change hit home. We look back at this year of extremes—and examine how our nonpartisan data and analysis informed conversations about how to address the tough water issues facing the state.
Report Keeping College Affordable for California Students By Kevin Cook, Jacob Jackson Dec 1, 2021 California’s financial aid programs reduce tuition for most students. But the state and its higher education institutions can improve college access and success by providing additional aid to lower-income students, addressing growing non-tuition costs, and eliminating barriers that increase the time it takes to earn a degree.
