California Local

Economy & Jobs

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Alliance of Californians for Community Empowerment

ACCE advocates for low-income, immigrant, and working families across California. The organization fights for policies and programs to improve their future.

Local Economy & Jobs Digest

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Resilience Economy & Jobs Public Safety

What Is the True Cost of California Wildfires?

Even though not a single structure burned in the city of South Lake Tahoe, a preliminary estimate shows that the Caldor Fire cost tens of millions in lost economic activity to the region. But is that really the total? Experts believe it’s not clear how much fires cost the state each year.

(Oct. 11, 2021) → Read the full Comstock's Magazine report

Economy & Jobs State of California

Takeout Cocktails? Under New State Law, They’re Good to Go

A new law signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom, Senate Bill 389, allows California restaurants to sell to-go alcoholic beverages through 2026. Customers must also buy a meal, and customers are limited to a maximum of two beverages per meal.

(Oct. 8, 2021) → Read the full The Sacramento Bee report

Recent Articles

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Image caption: Local cities and counties struggle to regulate the exploding short-term rental industry.

STATEWIDE EXPLAINER

Short-Term Losses

The short-term or ‘vacation’ rental industry spawns hundreds of horror stories and damages the housing market, but governments struggle with how to bring it under control.

Image caption: There are still 27 oil platforms off the California coastline.

STATEWIDE EXPLAINER

Offshore Oil Drilling in California Waters, Explained

Why is California still experiencing offshore oil spills half-a-century after the catastrophic Santa Barbara disaster? The answer is found in the state’s longtime, close relationship with the oil business.

Image caption: Cargo ship traffic has reached record levels at California’s ports in 2021.

STATEWIDE EXPLAINER

Link Between Port Traffic Jams and Oil Spill, Explained

Here’s why cargo ship traffic has been dangerously heavy at California’s ports in 2021, and how the backup may have caused a disaster.

Image caption: The state's economic recovery from the pandemic has been slower than expected.

STATEWIDE EXPLAINER

Why California Jobs Have Been Slow to Come Back, Explained

Extended unemployment benefits, the state's eviction moratorium and other COVID relief measures have ended. But people are still out of work and hurting in California as the recovery remains slow.

Image caption: Water is a human right under California law, but it doesn’t always work out that way.

STATEWIDE EXPLAINER

Agriculture and Water Shortages in the State’s Breadbasket, Explained

Residential wells are drying up in the state’s main agricultural region at the same time that agricultural businesses consume almost 90 percent of the water there.

Image caption: The state’s largest news industry trade group is now open to freelancers.

STATEWIDE NEWS & ANALYSIS

CNPA Now Admits Freelance Members

Three years after changing its name to reflect the contemporary news business environment, CNPA makes another change with the times, admitting freelance writers and content creators as members.

Image caption: California’s three-year-old legal cannabis industry is already struggling. Here’s why.

STATEWIDE EXPLAINER

The Crisis in California’s Legal Cannabis Industry, Explained

Cumbersome state bureaucracy and competition from their illegal counterparts has made life perilous for California’s nascent legal cannabis businesses.

Image caption: California Local Publisher Michael Gelbman talks about his vision for the site’s future.

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California Local gives a voice to community volunteers—and the business leaders who make their work possible.

Image caption: Gov. Newsom has signed a new bill to fund rural broadband access.

STATEWIDE AGGREGATOR

Rural Counties Welcome $6 Billion in State Broadband Money

After criticizing an earlier state proposal for bringing broadband to rural counties, the Rural County Representatives of California now applauds a new bill with $6 billion in funding.

Image caption: Joint Powers Authorities are important government agencies with little public accountability.

STATEWIDE EXPLAINER

JPAs Explained: Little-Known Govt Bodies With A Big Role

Under California law, local governments may work together in a "Joint Powers Authority." But these little-known agencies can wield broad powers—even to levy taxes—with little public accountability.