Statewide Survey PPIC Statewide Survey: Californians and Their Government By Mark Baldassare, Dean Bonner, Rachel Lawler, Deja Thomas Feb 1, 2023 Key findings include overwhelming majorities say housing affordability and homelessness are a big problem; many Californians worry younger generations will be unable to afford a home. Majorities expect bad times ahead for the state financially. Approval of Newsom and Biden has remained steady, while approval has fallen for the US Supreme Court and Congress.
blog post Crisis Communication Suffers During Natural Disasters By Jeffrey Mount Jan 12, 2023 Walloped by a series of atmospheric rivers, California is grappling with an unfolding natural disaster. In any disaster, communication is key—but this past weekend, our senior fellow Jeff Mount gained firsthand experience of some of the challenges facing our fractured communication systems.
Report Solar Energy and Groundwater in the San Joaquin Valley By Andrew Ayres, Annabelle Rosser, Ellen Hanak, Alvar Escriva-Bou ... Oct 25, 2022 Hundreds of thousands of acres of irrigated farmland may come out of production in the San Joaquin Valley in coming decades. At the same time, the state needs to ramp up renewable energy generation to meet climate goals. Could solar development on fallowed land help the valley’s residents? Our new report examines the challenges and opportunities.
blog post Video: Racial Disparities in Traffic Stops By Vicki Hsieh Oct 21, 2022 PPIC policy director Magnus Lofstrom presents new research on racial inequities in traffic stops by police, and an expert panel discusses potential ways to reduce disparities without jeopardizing public safety.
blog post Violent Crimes Involving Guns Drive Recent Rise in Crime By Magnus Lofstrom, Brandon Martin Oct 19, 2022 While overall violent crime in California has risen slightly during the pandemic, homicides by firearms and aggravated assaults involving a gun have both surged since 2019.
event Racial Disparities in Traffic Stops Oct 13, 2022 Traffic stops are a key factor in racial disparities in law enforcement encounters. PPIC researcher Magnus Lofstrom will present new findings on how disparities in traffic stops differ across agency type, type of traffic violation, and time of day. Then a panel of state and local experts will discuss the challenges of traffic enforcement and alternative approaches that could potentially improve officer and civilian safety while reducing racial inequities.
Report Racial Disparities in Traffic Stops By Magnus Lofstrom, Joseph Hayes, Brandon Martin, Deepak Premkumar Oct 10, 2022 Traffic stops have emerged as a key driver of racial disparities in law enforcement and an area of potential reform. Our new report examines whether certain types of traffic stops could be enforced in alternative ways that reduce racial disparities and risks to officers and civilians without jeopardizing public safety.
Policy Brief Policy Brief: Racial Disparities in Traffic Stops By Magnus Lofstrom, Joseph Hayes, Brandon Martin, Deepak Premkumar Oct 10, 2022 Our findings suggest that nighttime traffic stops for non-moving violations—especially those made by local police and sheriff departments—deserve consideration for alternative enforcement strategies. However, any changes need to be balanced against the possibility of hampering efforts to confiscate dangerous contraband, especially firearms.
blog post Video: How Hospital Discharge Data Can Inform State Homelessness Policy By Mary Severance Oct 7, 2022 Understanding the size and needs of the state’s homeless population is more important than ever. Discharge data from emergency departments—frontline providers for homeless Californians—can help.
blog post Ensuring All Students Benefit from Landmark Community College Reform By Marisol Cuellar Mejia, Olga Rodriguez, Cesar Alesi Perez Oct 6, 2022 Last week, Governor Newsom signed into law a bill that requires California’s community colleges to expand their efforts to enroll—and support—students in transfer-level math and English courses. What does this bill do? And how might it help close racial equity gaps?
