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.
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.
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.
event Equity in Voter Turnout after Pandemic Election Changes Mar 3, 2022 To maintain voting access during the pandemic, California shifted to universal vote-by-mail for the 2020 general election, while some counties consolidated their polling places. PPIC researcher Eric McGhee will present findings from a new report on the sometimes-contradictory impact of these changes, and a panel of experts will discuss how reforms affected turnout, especially among young voters and voters of color.
blog post Two California Leaders Join PPIC Board By Mark Baldassare Mar 2, 2022 PPIC is pleased to welcome Ophelia Basgal, affiliate at the Terner Center for Housing Innovation, and Steven J. Olson, partner at O’Melveny & Myers LLP, to its Board of Directors
blog post A Snapshot of Homeless Californians in Shelters By Marisol Cuellar Mejia, Hans Johnson, Joseph Herrera Mar 2, 2022 During the COVID-19 pandemic, California deployed significant resources to shelter people experiencing homelessness. Recently released data offer a first look at the impact of these efforts.
Report Equity in Voter Turnout after Pandemic Election Policy Changes By Eric McGhee, Jennifer Paluch, Mindy Romero Mar 1, 2022 To maintain voting access during the pandemic, California shifted to universal vote-by-mail for the 2020 general election, while some counties consolidated their polling places. In this new report, we examine the sometimes-contradictory impact of these reforms on turnout, especially among young voters and voters of color.
blog post Video: A Conversation with Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti By Mary Severance Feb 8, 2022 Mayor Garcetti talks with PPIC’s Lande Ajose about key challenges facing California and its largest city—including infrastructure, housing and homelessness, and climate change—and how state and local leaders can help create a more prosperous, equitable, and sustainable future.
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 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.
