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.
blog post Medi-Cal Has Expanded Health Coverage in California By Shannon McConville, Shalini Mustala Jan 17, 2024 Over the past ten years, the expansion of Medi-Cal has been a key driver of health coverage gains under the federal Affordable Care Act. Federal policy responses during the COVID-19 public health emergency also boosted Medi-Cal enrollment, though it has declined with the resumption last year of regular eligibility checks.
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.
Fact Sheet California’s Higher Education System By Kevin Cook Jan 10, 2024 The nation’s largest public system of higher learning is in California. Nearly 80% of state students attend a public institution, with over half enrolling in community college—making transfer into a four-year college a key path to a bachelor’s degree. Funds to support higher education and financial aid account for about 7% of the state’s budget.
blog post What’s in Store for California’s Economy? By Sarah Bohn Jan 10, 2024 California starts the year with low unemployment, rising wages, and falling inflation—but also with residents expressing pessimism about the state's economic outlook. We look at what's ahead for the California economy.
Fact Sheet Law Enforcement Staffing in California By Brandon Martin, Magnus Lofstrom, Andrew Skelton Jan 8, 2024 Law enforcement is funded largely at the local level, and almost half of California’s law enforcement officers work for municipal police departments. Staffing levels continued to drop in 2022, though losses vary across agencies.
blog post In First-in-Nation State Law, All Low-Income Residents Qualify for Medi-Cal By Paulette Cha, Patricia Malagon Jan 3, 2024 On January 1, California broadened Medi-Cal eligibility to include undocumented immigrants regardless of age, an expansion funded almost entirely with state dollars. What could this new policy mean for health care access in our state?
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.
Statewide Survey PPIC Statewide Survey: Californians and Their Government By Mark Baldassare, Dean Bonner, Lauren Mora, Deja Thomas Dec 6, 2023 Two in three likely voters favor Proposition 1, a March ballot measure that would restructure funding for behavioral health services in California. Nearly half believe that the United States has a responsibility to do something about the fighting between Israeli forces and Hamas, while a majority think Congress should authorize additional funding for Ukraine to support its war with Russia.
Fact Sheet Financing California’s Public Schools By Julien Lafortune Nov 29, 2023 K–12 funding has been at record-high levels in recent years, and California’s per student spending is now slightly above the national average. Spending is higher for low-income students, English Learners, and foster youth. However, enrollment declines, rising costs, and the expiration of pandemic funding pose fiscal challenges for school districts.
