Statewide Survey PPIC Statewide Survey: Californians and Their Government By Mark Baldassare, Dean Bonner, Lauren Mora, Deja Thomas Sep 18, 2024 Key findings of the survey include: Seven in ten likely voters favor Proposition 36, which would increase penalties for some theft and drug crimes. Six in ten likely voters would vote for Harris/Walz if the presidential election were held today, while 29% would vote for Trump/Vance. Democrats lead in likely voter preferences for US House candidates, and 52% of likely voters are more enthusiastic than usual about voting in this year’s congressional races.
Fact Sheet California’s Prison Population By Heather Harris, Sean Cremin Sep 12, 2024 After falling sharply in the first year of the pandemic, California’s prison population is now at a 30-year low. Meanwhile, the average annual cost of imprisoning a person has risen almost 50% since 2019. Most people in California prisons have been convicted of violent crimes; some racial groups are imprisoned at disproportionate rates.
Report Crime after Proposition 47 and the Pandemic By Magnus Lofstrom, Brandon Martin Sep 11, 2024 After some drug and property felonies were reclassified as misdemeanors under Proposition 47, incarceration fell—as did arrests for these crimes. But Prop 47 may not be the most important change to California criminal justice in recent years; pandemic interventions also had lasting effects. A new report examines the impact of both on incarceration, enforcement, and crime.
Report Learning from CalFresh Pandemic Boosts By Tess Thorman, Patricia Malagon, Caroline Danielson Aug 26, 2024 Emergency allotments increased CalFresh benefits during the pandemic, although the lowest-income households did not see an initial boost. Examining how this pandemic aid affected household resources, work decisions, and participant retention can offer insights into crafting a CalFresh response for the next economic downturn—and improving the program in the near term.
blog post California’s Workforce Is Diverse, but Many Occupations Are Not By Tess Thorman, Jenny Duan, Sarah Bohn Aug 20, 2024 Many occupations in California are predominantly filled by people from a particular demographic group. We examine the types of jobs with the greatest occupational segregation and what this means for economic advancement in our state.
blog post Examining the Reach of Universal School Meals in California By Caroline Danielson Aug 15, 2024 In the 2022–23 school year, California became the first state to provide free school meals to all children regardless of income. We look at how the state's school nutrition programs are faring overall and examine trends in participation among low-income students.
Report Pathways to College Completion in the San Joaquin Valley By Hans Johnson, Olga Rodriguez, Cesar Alesi Perez, Marisol Cuellar Mejia Aug 14, 2024 California’s San Joaquin Valley has the lowest college enrollment and completion rates in the state. Yet with its youthful, diverse, growing population; expanding economy; and robust regional networks, dramatic improvements are possible. A new report details how institutions, educators, and policymakers can build on current college-going pathways.
blog post Commercial Burglaries Fell in 2023, but Shoplifting Continued to Rise By Magnus Lofstrom, Brandon Martin Aug 2, 2024 Recently released data show that commercial burglaries across California declined last year but remain slightly above their pre-pandemic level. Meanwhile, shoplifting continued to grow statewide in 2023 and reported incidents are now more than one-quarter greater than before the pandemic.
