blog post Video: California’s Care Workforce By Mary Severance May 16, 2024 PPIC researchers Daniel Payares-Montoya and Shannon McConville discuss a new report on the care workforce—which provides essential services to children, older residents, and people with disabilities—and talk with state policymakers about the challenges of meeting future demand.
blog post The End of Affordable Connectivity? By Joseph Hayes, Eric Assan May 15, 2024 This month marks the end of a federal program that helped low-income households afford internet access. Nearly 3 million California households—half of those eligible—were enrolled.
blog post Does Transfer Reduce Regional Enrollment Gaps at CSU and UC? By Cesar Alesi Perez May 14, 2024 California students from regions with larger Latino and Black populations and regions with lower incomes are underrepresented among first-time freshmen at the state's public universities. Transfers from community colleges appear to help offset this disparity at CSU but not at UC.
Fact Sheet Income Inequality in California By Tess Thorman, Daniel Payares-Montoya Apr 17, 2024 California’s income gap narrowed in 2022, but the disparity between high and low incomes is wider in California than in most other states. Over the longer term, income inequality has been driven by earnings growth among college-educated workers.
Statewide Survey PPIC Statewide Survey: Californians and Education By Mark Baldassare, Dean Bonner, Lauren Mora, Deja Thomas Apr 10, 2024 As the California Legislature considers placing a school facilities bond on the November 2024 ballot, around half of likely voters say they would vote yes on such a measure. About eight in ten public school parents see catching up academically or addressing the pandemic’s social-emotional impact as the biggest K–12 challenge.
Fact Sheet California’s Digital Divide By Joseph Hayes, Eric Assan, Niu Gao Apr 1, 2024 Digital access is at an all-time high in California—and major investments by state and federal governments have helped narrow the digital divide. But racial/ethnic, socioeconomic, and geographic disparities persist.
event Spotlight on Rural California Mar 21, 2024 Rural California is vast—and varied. It faces unique challenges, from high poverty to sparse social services to a lingering digital divide. What are the most immediate challenges and how are leaders and stakeholders addressing them? Join PPIC for a conversation between James Gallagher, assembly Republican leader, and Tani Cantil-Sakauye, president and CEO of PPIC, followed by a panel discussion with state and local leaders.
blog post Testimony: Most Californians Are “Pretty Happy” but a Growing Share Are “Not Too Happy” By Mark Baldassare Mar 12, 2024 Mark Baldassare, PPIC Statewide Survey director and Miller Chair in Public Policy, testified at a hearing of the Select Committee on Happiness and Public Policy Outcomes. He discussed Californians' overall happiness as well as their level of satisfaction with work, household finances, and other aspects of life.
Fact Sheet Floods in California By Jeffrey Mount, Gokce Sencan, Letitia Grenier Feb 28, 2024 More than seven million Californians—one in five residents—live in areas at risk of flooding, and risks are growing. Improved land use planning, insurance, and innovative flood management can help.
