blog post Reconciling Signs of a Strong Economy with California’s Budgetary Woes By Julien Lafortune, Jenny Duan, Sarah Bohn Jan 24, 2024 Even as the state faces a sizeable budget deficit, job growth and low unemployment suggest a resilient state economy. Still, two areas of concern in the labor market data are worth monitoring.
Fact Sheet Immigrants in California By Marisol Cuellar Mejia, Cesar Alesi Perez, Hans Johnson Jan 19, 2024 California is home to more than 10 million immigrants—almost a quarter of the foreign-born population nationwide. Almost half of California’s immigrants are from Latin America, but a majority of recent arrivals come from Asia.
Fact Sheet California’s Population By Hans Johnson, Marisol Cuellar Mejia, Eric McGhee Jan 19, 2024 Growth in the nation’s most populous state has slowed notably in the 21st century, with recent years bringing a drop in population due to higher deaths, lower births, and changes in migration. More than half of Californians under 24 are Latino while more than half of Californians 65 and older are white.
Explainer Making Sense of California’s Economy By Sarah Bohn, Marisol Cuellar Mejia, Julien Lafortune, Vicki Hsieh Jan 16, 2024 We take a look at where California's economy has been, where it might be headed, and how we can better insulate Californians against future upheavals.
Report Factors and Future Projections for K–12 Declining Enrollment By Julien Lafortune, Emmanuel Prunty Dec 11, 2023 Over the past five years, enrollment has fallen in nearly three-quarters of California school districts, and the trend is expected to continue into the next decade. Faster declines could bring pressure to close schools, along with concerns about the students and neighborhoods bearing the costs of downsizing.
blog post Many California Renters Remain Financially Stressed By Hans Johnson, Eric McGhee Dec 7, 2023 Although fewer Californians are behind on rent payments than during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, rents are increasing across the state and housing stress is hitting some regions and demographic groups especially hard.
blog post How Have California School Districts Used the Emergency Connectivity Fund? By Joseph Hayes, Niu Gao Dec 4, 2023 The state's school districts have received about $859 million from the federal Emergency Connectivity Fund (ECF), which supports access to internet connectivity and digital devices. Most of these funds have gone to districts with large proportions of Black, Latino, or low-income students, and the ECF dollars have been used more for connectivity than for devices.
blog post A Better Way to Promote Urban Water Conservation By David Mitchell, Ellen Hanak Nov 28, 2023 Californians have been making great strides in water conservation in recent years. Now the State Water Board is considering new urban water use regulations whose statewide costs would far exceed their benefits—and significantly impact affordability. Are there better approaches? We take a look.
Policy Brief Policy Brief: Understanding the Reach of the California Earned Income Tax Credit By Tess Thorman, Mary Severance Nov 13, 2023 The CalEITC, introduced in the 2015 tax year, was originally designed to complement the federal EITC; it remains most generous to Californians with incomes too low to receive the maximum EITC. A better understanding of the factors associated with credit claiming can help the state increase participation.
Report Understanding the Reach of the California Earned Income Tax Credit By Tess Thorman Nov 13, 2023 State-designed and -funded tax credits for low-income families are a small but growing part of California’s anti-poverty portfolio. As policymakers explore ways to refine, increase, and supplement the California Earned Income Tax Credit (CalEITC), they could benefit from knowing more about where and when the CalEITC and similar credits are claimed.
