Statewide Survey PPIC Statewide Survey: Californians and the Environment By Mark Baldassare, Dean Bonner, Rachel Lawler, Deja Thomas Jul 27, 2022 Key findings include: Three in ten Californians name water supply and drought as the state’s top environmental issue; nearly seven in ten say the water supply is a big problem in their part of the state. More than half of Californians say higher gas prices have caused financial hardship, and more than four in ten are upset about the current rate of inflation. Most Californians oppose offshore drilling, and an overwhelming majority want to prioritize alternative energy over oil, coal, and natural gas. But views are divided along party lines. Democrats are much more likely than independents and Republicans to support key state climate change policies.
blog post Primary Takeaways and a Preview of the Fall Election By Mark Baldassare Jul 15, 2022 The final results from California’s June primary provide insights into the state of our state’s democracy and shed light on the political context for the November general election.
blog post California’s Unemployment Gaps Have Narrowed during the Pandemic By Sarah Bohn May 19, 2022 Racial and regional disparities in unemployment have narrowed over the course of the pandemic—a sign that the state might be on the path toward an equitable recovery.
Report Understanding the Effects of School Funding By Julien Lafortune May 18, 2022 Funding for California’s K–12 public schools has reached record highs, but gaps in student outcomes remain. Understanding the benefits of additional funds, and how to distribute those funds, are key concerns for policymakers. This report offers insights from a robust body of research on the extent to which higher spending improves outcomes.
blog post Maximizing Benefits of Solar Development in the San Joaquin Valley By Annabelle Rosser, Mitchelle De Leon May 9, 2022 Solar development offers one promising way to soften the economic blow as more irrigated farmland comes out of production in the San Joaquin Valley. We met with a diverse range of stakeholders to discuss how to maximize benefits—and mitigate potential harm.
event Statewide Survey: Californians and Education Apr 28, 2022 PPIC’s annual statewide survey on Californians and education examines views on the quality of education in public schools, as well as perceptions of the lingering challenges brought on by the pandemic. It also tracks opinions on public school funding, school teachers, and preschool. PPIC researchers Rachel Lawler and Dean Bonner will discuss these and other key findings.
blog post Video: Farming in a State of Extremes By Sarah Bardeen Apr 26, 2022 Last week, we brought together a panel of experts to discuss how the drought is affecting California’s farming regions—and what steps could be taken to soften the economic blow and improve the state’s resilience.
blog post Emotional Distress and Limited Access to Care Put Families’ Health at Risk By Darriya Starr, Paulette Cha Apr 20, 2022 The COVID-19 pandemic has posed a number of challenges to the emotional well-being of parents and children, while the increased needs of youth have been exacerbated by a shortage of mental health professionals.
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.
