More than one in three Californians live in or near poverty, and the longstanding divide between rich and poor poses a major challenge for our state and nation. PPIC builds understanding of what economic disparities mean for households and communities, while highlighting policies that can broaden opportunity and increase well-being.
Publication
Income Inequality and Economic Opportunity in California
The pandemic threatens to widen the divide between rich and poor, but policy interventions can increase economic well-being and help create an equitable recovery. Learn More
Blog Post
Who’s Leaving California—and Who’s Moving In?
May 6 2021
Compared with those who move away, people moving to California are more likely to be employed, earn high wages, and have high education levels.
Blog Post
Bay Area Recovery May Lag without Onsite Tech Workers
April 30 2021
Unemployment in the San Francisco Bay Area is lower than statewide. But a sustained recovery—especially in the region’s downtown districts—could depend on many employees shifting back to onsite work as the pandemic recedes.
Event
Statewide Survey: Californians and Education
April 29 2021
PPIC’s annual statewide survey on Californians and education examines views on school reopenings and student learning during the pandemic, as well as overall perceptions of school quality and diversity. It also tracks opinions on public school funding, private schools, preschool, and career education.
Publication
PPIC Statewide Survey: Californians and Education
April 28 2021
Key findings from the current survey include: More than eight in ten Californians think K–12 students are falling behind academically during the COVID-19 pandemic. Most Californians approve of Governor Newsom’s handling of the K–12 education system; most also approve of the way he is handling school reopening. Most say that the state’s public schools should be at least partially open now, and six in ten are concerned that schools will not be open for full-time in-person instruction this fall. Majorities say their local public schools do an excellent or good job of preparing students for college and for the workforce, but four in ten parents would opt for private school if cost and location were not at issue.
Blog Post
Video: A Conversation with US Senator Alex Padilla
April 12 2021
Senator Padilla talks about what he hopes to accomplish in Washington and the importance of federal policymakers’ efforts on COVID-19 relief, infrastructure, and immigration reform.