blog post Commentary: To Help Address Learning Disparities, Boost Internet Access for Low-Income Students By Niu Gao, Julien Lafortune, Laura Hill Jan 6, 2021 Since the COVID-19 pandemic began last spring, California has made substantial progress in expanding access to digital devices needed for K–12 distance learning. But inequities in access to broadband internet remain a challenge.
blog post New Laws Address Water Affordability and Wildfire Risks By Henry McCann, Gokce Sencan Nov 16, 2020 The pandemic and recession forced tough decisions in Sacramento this year. Despite challenging circumstances, several high-priority bills covering safe drinking water and wildfire risk reduction were enacted.
Report Funding California Schools When Budgets Fall Short By Julien Lafortune, Radhika Mehlotra, Jennifer Paluch Oct 5, 2020 Even as districts prioritize safety amid COVID-19, they face hard choices as they try to maintain services and balance budgets. By examining district reserves and spending, this report aims to understand how the Great Recession affected K–12 funding and how prepared districts are now to manage future cuts.
blog post Video: Fiscal Realities for Local Government By Mary Severance Sep 23, 2020 Mayors Kevin Faulconer of San Diego and Libby Schaaf of Oakland discuss how they are approaching the budget challenges and economic uncertainty resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.
blog post Schools Adjusting to the Pandemic May Also Be Affected by Wildfire Season By Niu Gao, Joseph Hayes Jul 22, 2020 As school districts across California face closures during COVID-19, schools in some parts of the state could experience further disruption due to wildfires.
blog post Video: Proposition 47 and Racial Disparities in California By Mary Severance Jul 7, 2020 PPIC’s Brandon Martin presents new research on how Prop 47 has narrowed racial inequities in criminal justice outcomes—though much work remains. An expert panel discusses how to build on this and other reforms.
blog post What COVID-19 Budget Cuts Mean for Public Safety Spending By Brandon Martin, Magnus Lofstrom May 22, 2020 The sharp decline in state revenues means county sheriff and probation departments will have less funding to provide supervision and programming for certain individuals who are in jail or on probation.
page COVID-19 Mar 1, 2020 The coronavirus outbreak poses a tremendous challenge to California, the nation, and the global community. PPIC’s analyses examine the impacts of COVID-19 and how policy choices and other actions can help address them.
Report California’s Exclusive Electorate: A New Look at Who Votes and Why It Matters By Mark Baldassare, Dean Bonner, Alyssa Dykman, Rachel Lawler Sep 16, 2019 The people who go to the polls in California are very different from those who don't—a gap that has far-reaching implications for our democracy and political future.
blog post Predicting California’s Economic Health By Dean Bonner, Eric McGhee Sep 5, 2019 With some indicators pointing to a potential downturn in the near future, PPIC’s Statewide Survey offers a unique perspective on California’s economic outlook.
