Policy Brief Policy Brief: Health Care Access among California’s Farmworkers By Paulette Cha, Stephanie Barton Apr 25, 2022 California’s farmworkers, who are a key link in the food supply chain, often face barriers to health care—including cost or lack of insurance. Certain expansions to Medi-Cal led to gains in insurance coverage for some farmworkers; other policies, such as the employer mandate in the Affordable Care Act, did not seem to improve coverage.
Policy Brief Policy Brief: Drought and California’s Agriculture By Alvar Escriva-Bou, Josué Medellín-Azuara, Ellen Hanak, John Abatzoglou Apr 13, 2022 California’s agricultural sector is the nation’s largest: it generates more than $50 billion dollars in annual revenue and employs more than 420,000 people. The ongoing drought is taking a toll on agriculture, related sectors, and rural communities, but there are ways to increase resilience in a warming world.
blog post Video: COVID in California—What Have We Learned about Ensuring an Equitable Recovery? By Vicki Hsieh Apr 6, 2022 Michael Tubbs, founder of End Poverty in California and former mayor of Stockton, talks with PPIC’s Lande Ajose about building an equitable, inclusive economy as we emerge from the pandemic.
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.
blog post Gas Prices Stretch Family Budgets By Sarah Bohn, Daniel Payares-Montoya Mar 16, 2022 California has recently seen its highest average gas price on record. Combined with higher prices in other key budget areas, rising gas prices pose a challenge for households around the state, especially those with lower incomes.
Report Equitable State Funding for School Facilities By Julien Lafortune, Niu Gao Mar 14, 2022 Most funding for California’s K–12 facilities comes from local tax revenues, which depend on property wealth. State funding could potentially address wealth disparities, but it has disproportionately benefited more-affluent districts. Policymakers should prioritize equity in facility funding so that all students have access to safe and effective learning environments.
Policy Brief Policy Brief: Equitable State Funding for School Facilities By Julien Lafortune, Niu Gao, Mary Severance Mar 14, 2022 Funding for school facilities comes mostly from local sources and depends on local property wealth. California provides some funding through the School Facility Program (SFP), but many have noted that SFP privileges wealthier districts. Policymakers will need to identify equitable funding streams that give all students access to safe and effective learning environments
blog post Medi-Cal Expansion Has Reduced Financial Barriers to Needed Health Care By Paulette Cha Feb 17, 2022 Since the expansion of Medi-Cal under the federal Affordable Care Act, California families have been less likely to delay necessary care due to cost.
Statewide Survey PPIC Statewide Survey: Californians and Their Government By Mark Baldassare, Dean Bonner, Rachel Lawler, Deja Thomas Feb 2, 2022 Californians say that COVID-19, homelessness, and jobs, the economy, and inflation are the top issues for the governor and legislature to work on this year.
blog post Starting the Year with Less (Real) Money By Sarah Bohn, Julien Lafortune Jan 21, 2022 Over the last two years combined, prices have increased more than 8%. The impact on family economic well-being is especially large for those at the lower end of the income spectrum.
