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
Mercury News, February 25, 2013: (Op-Ed) Who pays for kids' school supplies in low-income districts? Right now, it's often the teacher
"Teachers still issue school supply lists at the beginning of each year, but depending on how strictly districts interpret the law, many teachers must now label their lists recommended,' not required,' with no penalty for students who can't -- or won't -- buy their own. This isn't a problem in affluent districts, but in low-income areas, the number of students who don't bring materials, while still a minority, can be surprisingly high."
Los Angeles Times, February 24, 2013: Brown's school funding plan draws mixed reactions
"In the most significant change in four decades in how school dollars would be distributed, Brown is proposing to give all districts a base grant, then add an extra 35% of that for each student who is low-income, struggling with English or in foster care. If such students make up more than 50% of a district's population, another 35% supplement would be given."
The San Francisco Chronicle, February 20, 2013: School funding plan won't be easy sell
"Public schools in San Francisco and Oakland are among those projected to get a larger-than-average bump in funding under Gov. Jerry Brown's new proposal to distribute a larger share of money to districts with higher percentages of low-income students and English learners."
Vallejo Times Herald, February 20, 2013: Forum to address growing senior homeless population in Solano County
"Nearly 21 percent of Solano County's homeless people are 55 years or older, and not only are they coping with loss of housing, but also dealing with the health and social complexities of getting older, service providers said. Concerned that the issue of homeless seniors will only worsen in the years ahead, social service providers are holding a forum Tuesday in Fairfield to try to find solutions."
Mercury News, February 15, 2013: Bay Area educators laud President Barack Obama's preschool plan
"Preschool advocates, who have weathered five years of dispiriting state budget cuts, have responded ecstatically to President Barack Obama's initiative for universal preschool for 4-year-olds, a major surge in federal involvement in education. And with a blueprint already in the works for a statewide preschool plan, California may be well positioned to begin offering preschool to the estimated 125,000 4-year-olds from low-income families who can't afford to enroll."
Ventura County Star, February 11, 2013: Oxnard to consider subsidy for low-income seniors
"The concept of an assistance program for cash-strapped seniors on fixed incomes has been advocated by Councilwoman Carmen Ramirez, who suggested the idea when the council approved utility rate increases last year."