California
State Government
Governor
Gavin Newsom (D)
State Senate
32
Democrats,
8
Republicans
State House
62
Democrats,
17
Republicans
Economic well-being - California
Extreme poverty rate
0.1
Food insecurity
0.1
Minimum wage
16.5
Percent of working families under 200% of the poverty line
0.3
Poverty rate
11.8%
Unemployment rate
5.5
Number of Black or African American children living in families where no parent has full-time, year-round employment
Number of Hispanic or Latino children living in families where no parent has full-time, year-round employment
Percent of individuals who are uninsured
5.9
Housing - California
Home foreclosure rate
1 in 3407
People experiencing homelessness
187,084.0
Households paying more than 50% of income on housing
1,633,600.0
Percent renters
0.4
Poverty by demographic - California
Child poverty rate
0.2
Number of Asian and Pacific Islander children below 200% poverty
251000
Number of Black or African American children below 200% poverty
192000
Number of Hispanic or Latino children below 200% poverty
1981000
Senior poverty rate
12.0 %
Women in poverty
19,461,027
Los Angeles Time, February 23, 2012: Retirement for the forgotten
"Now De Leon (D-Los Angeles) is teaming up with Senate leader Darrell Steinberg (D-Sacramento) to lessen that prospect of poverty in the declining years. He's proposing legislation that would allow the likes of his aunt to enroll in a modest state-operated retirement program financed by the beneficiaries with virtually no cost to employers or taxpayers."
Los Angeles Times, February 23, 2012: L.A. truancy law scaled back
"During an hourlong discussion, more than 30 people criticized the rule as financially crippling -- fines and court costs could surpass $800 -- and criminalizing to students who, though tardy, were trying to attend school. Many of those fined came from low-income families that could ill afford such costs."
Contra Costa Times, February 23, 2012: Tri Delta Transit to take over operations for Antioch senior bus program
"Antioch residents age 60 and older are now charged 50 cents per ride. In return, the city will give its three buses back to the transit agency. Tri Delta Transit has applied for funding on Antioch's behalf since 1999 and passed the $275,000 subsidy to the city for the bus program. That will end Aug. 31.A program that gives free rides to low-income seniors to the Antioch Senior Center for lunch would remain, said Jeanne Krieg, Tri Delta's chief executive officer."
Los Angeles Times, February 21, 2012: College path paved with potholes
"About 96% need remedial math and English, and many are the first in their family to attend college. They grew up amid crime and poverty and graduated from local high schools that are among the lowest-performing in the state, he added."
Eureka Times Standard, February 21, 2012: Humboldt school districts react to new funding model; Local officials say proposed formula benefits urban, suburban areas
"As Humboldt County school districts prepare their budgets for next year, officials are trying to wrap their heads around a new proposal from the governor that would allocate additional funding to schools based on the number of low-income students and English-language learners."
Sacramento Bee, February 21, 2012: Tax plans would boost schools but leave social safety net vulnerable
"As education groups battle over which California tax initiative would give the biggest boost to schools, advocates for low-income residents fear safety-net programs remain vulnerable no matter what happens on the ballot in November."