Tag: california

  • California Students and Schools Still Struggle to Recover From the Pandemic

    California Students and Schools Still Struggle to Recover From the Pandemic

    Image credits: Unsplash

    It has been almost exactly five years since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic shut down schools across California. Yet, schools and their students continue to recover slowly despite increased funding from state and federal governments.

    According to researchers at Harvard and Stanford, California students continue to underperform on standardized tests compared to pre-pandemic scores. Math scores are equivalent to being 31% of a grade level behind, while reading scores are 40% of a grade level behind. 

    What the average scores mask, however, is wider disparities in scores between schools serving affluent districts and schools serving low-income districts—a gap that Sean Reardon, faculty director of the Educational Opportunity Project at Stanford, has called “a pernicious inequality.”

    The Deeper Impact of the Pandemic

    Standardized scores also fail to capture the deeper impact that a year in isolation has had on California’s youth: their mental health, socialization, communication skills, study habits, and resilience. William C. Overfelt High serves 1,400 Hispanic and Vietnamese American students in East San Jose, mostly from low-income households. 

    Principal Vito Chiala shares this about the impact: “We tend to overlook the longer-term effects of the delay in socialization and self-discipline—things that schools nurtured in young people.” 

    Overfelt High’s teachers and staff focused primarily on school-related behavior, self-regulation, and communication skills during students’ first year back from virtual learning. 

    “Students who had spent over a year saying whatever they wanted on social media had to face people in person,” Chiala recalls, “and that was super-uncomfortable sometimes. Now it’s much more about endurance, being willing and able to do hard academic work for longer periods of time.”

    Overfelt High isn’t alone in that experience. In 2021-22, 87% of public schools indicated that the pandemic had delayed students’ socioemotional development, with 56% reporting more frequent cases of classes disrupted by student misconduct, according to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES).

    Chronic Absenteeism

    Meanwhile, chronic absenteeism (defined as missing 10% of school days or more) tripled in California from its pre-pandemic level of 12% (in the 2018-19 school year) to 30% in the 2021-22 school year. By 2023-24, the chronic absenteeism rate dropped to 20%, still well above the earlier 12%. 

    Just as with standardized test scores, the gap is wider for disadvantaged communities, with Black students, homeless students, and students in foster families seeing chronic absenteeism at roughly double the rate of white middle-class students. 

    While only 2% of schools serving the most affluent districts reported high or extreme levels of chronic absenteeism, 72% of schools at which over three-quarters of the student population come from low-income households reported frequent absences.

    Heady Chang, founder of Attendance Works, suggests, “If you want to reduce chronic absence, you need to solve the root causes that result in kids not showing up to school in the first place. The barriers—poor transportation, homelessness, and food insecurity—are huge, and these issues are hard to solve.”

    Students With (and Without) Computers

    One thing that may have left many students behind during the COVID-19 pandemic was the lack of access to computers for virtual learning. In June 2020, three months after schools closed their classrooms, the state Department of Education estimated that 700,000 students lived in households without a home computer. This prompted California’s Bridge the Divide Fund, which tapped $18.4 million in philanthropic support to provide 45,000 Chromebooks and over 100,000 internet hot spots.

    In fact, in the past three years, per-student spending by the state of California has grown by 50%, thanks to such initiatives and federal pandemic relief. However, if standardized test scores and absenteeism rates are any indication, California schools and their students still have a long recovery ahead.

  • Unearthing California’s Counterculture Roots: Charlie Haas Digs Up the Past

    Unearthing California’s Counterculture Roots: Charlie Haas Digs Up the Past

    Image credit: Unsplash

    California has long been a place of reinvention, where people escape convention to build new lives. The Golden State’s counterculture movements, from the Beats to the hippies, have defined eras and shaped art, music, and lifestyle trends. But the origins of these movements stretch back further than most realize.

    Author Charlie Haas, in his novel The Current Fantasy, explores an often-overlooked influence on California’s free-spirited identity: the Naturmenschen. They were a German back-to-nature movement that thrived in the early 20th century. Their philosophy combined expressionist art, anarchism, spiritualism, and sun worship. The group attracted figures such as Herman Hesse, Franz Kafka, Isadora Duncan, and D.H. Lawrence into their orbit. 

    Haas, who moved to California in 1968 as a teenager, saw firsthand how a distinct cultural attitude shaped the state. “It was curious, sometimes credulous, nostalgic for eras of magic but equally dazzled by science,” he recalls. That sense of wonder led Haas to uncover a deeper history, one that connected past utopian ideals with modern countercultural movements.

    A Discovery in the Stacks

    While browsing in a bookstore several years later, he stumbled upon Gordon Kennedy’s Children of the Sun: A Pictorial Anthology from Germany to California 1883 to 1949. The book contained striking photographs: men and women dressed in flowing garments, dancing in circles, working the land, or simply basking in the sun. Taken decades before the hippie movement, these images felt like a glimpse into an earlier version of California’s bohemian culture. 

    Intrigued, Haas dove deeper into the subject. He read Mountain of Truth by Martin Burgess Green and researched at the UC Berkeley library. He traced the Naturmenschen’s journey from Germany to California in the 1910s, where they influenced a new wave of spiritual seekers and artists. 

    Los Angeles saw its first raw-food restaurants and Ojai became a haven for rival spiritualist communities. Most notably, the canyons around Palm Springs filled with people content to live off the land, exercise with heavy stones, and dress in nothing but loincloths.

    From History to Fiction

    As Haas pieced together this forgotten chapter of history, he saw the potential for a novel. Characters began to form in his head—a Berlin family in 1914, drawn into the Naturmenschen’s ideals and willing to establish a utopian community called Sunland in San Bernardino County. 

    Though fictional, Sunland borrows heavily from real history. Haas discovered a common downfall of utopian movements: the bicycle. Many communities thrived in isolation until their as-of-then-unaware children got hold of bikes, rode to the nearest city, and returned home disillusioned. “The kids in my story get a bicycle,” Haas confirms, acknowledging the pattern of youthful curiosity disrupting idealism.

    To bring his novel to life, Haas fully immersed himself in the physical world of his characters. He walked from San Bernardino to Redlands on an 80-degree day, experiencing the grueling heat and exhaustion the early settlers endured. Through this first-hand experience, Haas deepened his understanding of their struggles—both physical and philosophical. 

    Echoes of the Past in Modern Counterculture

    The Current Fantasy bridges multiple eras, foreshadowing the Beat movement, the 1960s counterculture, and even present-day festivals like Burning Man. Haas sees a clear connection between early 20th-century expressionist art and the modern fusion of music, poetry, and visual storytelling. “So many elements of those times were already there in the 1910s,” he notes.

    Despite two world wars and waves of societal upheaval, the desire to escape modern constraints and forge a simpler, more connected life persists. The Naturmenschen’s ideals continue to reappear. They slip into different generations, consistently adapting to new contexts.

    “The dream of influencing the world by dropping out of it must have seemed painfully naïve after two world wars,” Haas reflects. “But that vision keeps coming back, in slightly different clothes, adapting and refining itself, slipping in where it can.”

    For those who look closely, traces of the Naturmenschen remain embedded in California’s cultural fabric. Their footprints may be faint, but they’re unmistakable. 

  • Top-Ranked California Personal Injury Firm Karns & Karns Secures Landmark Settlements for Clients, Expands Reach with New Locations

    Top-Ranked California Personal Injury Firm Karns & Karns Secures Landmark Settlements for Clients, Expands Reach with New Locations

    Image credit: Pexels

    Karns & Karns Personal Injury and Accident Attorneys, a leading law firm serving California, Nevada, and Texas, is making headlines for its exceptional success in securing landmark settlements for clients injured in a wide range of accidents. Recognized as a top-ranked personal injury firm in California, Karns & Karns is also proud to be among the top five firms in the state for commercial accident injury cases. With an expanding network of offices throughout California, the firm is committed to providing convenient access to justice for individuals and families across the state.

    “Our focus is simple: achieve the best possible outcomes for our clients,” says Mike Karns, founding partner at Karns & Karns. “We’re dedicated to fighting tirelessly for maximum compensation and providing the support our clients need to rebuild their lives.”

    A Record of Success:

    Karns & Karns has a proven track record of securing significant settlements and verdicts in a variety of personal injury cases, including:

    • Car Accidents
    • Truck Accidents
    • Motorcycle Accidents
    • Rideshare Accidents
    • Pedestrian Accidents
    • Bicycle Accidents
    • Slip and Fall Accidents
    • Construction Accidents
    • Wrongful Death

    The firm’s attorneys are skilled negotiators and experienced litigators, committed to maximizing the financial recovery for each client.

    Top-Ranked for Client Advocacy:

    Karns & Karns’ recognition as a top-ranked personal injury firm in California reflects its commitment to client advocacy and its consistent success in securing favorable outcomes. The firm’s inclusion among the top five firms for commercial accident injury cases in the state highlights its specialized expertise in this complex area of law.

    Expanding Access to Justice:

    With new office locations opening monthly, Karns & Karns is expanding its reach across California. The firm’s goal is to make it as convenient as possible for clients to access quality legal representation.

    “We understand that traveling to a law office can be challenging for some clients,” adds Bill Karns, founding partner. “Our expanding network of offices is designed to bring our services closer to the communities we serve.”

    Dedicated Spanish-Language Services:

    Karns & Karns is committed to serving California’s diverse population and offers comprehensive Spanish-language services. Bilingual attorneys and staff are available to provide clear communication and personalized support to Spanish-speaking clients.

    About Karns & Karns Personal Injury and Accident Attorneys:

    Karns & Karns is a committed personal injury law firm proudly serving clients throughout California, Nevada, and Texas. With a focus on compassion and expertise, we provide powerful legal representation for those injured by the negligence of others. Our mission is to help you achieve justice and empower you to reclaim your life.

    Contact:

    Karns & Karns Personal Injury and Accident Attorneys

    Phone: 1-800-484-3946 (1-800-4THEWIN)

     www.karnsandkarns.com

    Written in partnership with Tom White

  • California Family Budgets are Stretched Thin This Holiday Season

    California Family Budgets are Stretched Thin This Holiday Season

    Image credit: Unsplash

    By Walter Contreras

    My family and the Latino community have a special connection to the holidays. The holidays are a time to gather with loved ones, exchange gifts, celebrate the joys of spending time with family, and most importantly, help others in need. But many Californians – particularly Latinos –are facing increasing financial hardship, much of it brought on by impractical state and local policies that have ballooned the cost of living for families across the Golden State, turning the celebratory holiday season into a struggle to make ends meet. 

    Many are forced to go into debt to try and make the holiday’s a joyous time for their families. In fact, California’s rising credit card debt problem captures this struggle. Our state now leads the nation with an average of $13,416 in credit card debt per household and in some cities these numbers soar above $20,000. 

    This heavy reliance on credit for everyday expenses—spurred by the rising costs of housing, gas, and groceries—is a worrying sign of a broader l  financial crisis for Californian households. Fueling this emergency are impractical state and local policies that increase the costs of goods and services without delivering meaningful results for Californians. It’s past time for lawmakers to reject well intentioned proposals that have burdened millions of Californians with significant unintended economic consequences and embrace a more practical agenda that benefits working people instead. We cannot afford to try new methods of environmental protection without understanding the financial impact that they will have on everyday people.

    Many of these policies are so-called “environmentally elite” regulations that offer questionable environmental benefits while hurting the state and its residents economically. For example, California’s approach to energy policy highlights the cost-of-living challenges that many households face. Over the past 10 years, residential energy rates have increased by an average of 101%, pushing households to pay electricity rates that are nearly double the national average.

    Meanwhile, California’s gas tax—the highest in the nation at $0.68 per gallon—adds another significant financial burden on families. New regulations by the California Air Resources Board could increase fuel costs by an additional $0.47 per gallon, further straining commuters’ budgets. Notably, this is a regressive challenge that impacts our poorest and most vulnerable communities the hardest. Some estimates show that the bottom quintile of households by income spend as much as 16% of their budgets on fuel versus just 2% for the state’s highest earners. 

    Additionally, housing costs remain a deep-seated problem intertwined with state and local sustainability policies. Restrictive zoning laws and the delayed implementation of the California H.O.M.E. Act—a measure aimed at promoting the construction of duplexes and small housing units—have significantly hindered efforts to address the state’s longstanding housing shortage. State and local inaction have helped to drive up the average cost of a home in California to 2.5 times the median national price, while the cost of renting is 33% higher than the national average. As a result, families can barely afford their most basic necessity: a roof over their heads.  In a state where families already pay top dollar for their property, gas, and food, it is unacceptable for policies to push costs any higher than they need to be.

    It’s clear that the state’s approach to initiatives like sustainability policy is putting undue economic stress on our communities. That is why it is urgent that our elected leaders take a different approach – one that pursues more practical solutions that balances economic prosperity with environmental outcomes. Californians deserve no less. 

    To start, lawmakers should prioritize having deeper and more meaningful dialogues with communities to understand how current policies and proposals under consideration at the state and local level might benefit or unintentionally harm those communities. This measured approach is supported by community advocacy groups across the state and will help develop policies that do not disproportionately impact low- and middle-income households, all of which is key to developing lasting reforms that tackle the underlying issues driving our state’s affordability crisis.

    The holidays should be a time of joy, not financial headaches. Yet, for many Californians, this season serves as a stark reminder of the state’s deep economic disparities and systemic challenges. This season, it is more important than ever for California’s leaders to commit to producing more thoughtful sustainability policies that offer residents the financial breathing room they need — not just in December, but year-round.

    Walter Contreras heads the Sperantia Foundation, a Southern California-based organization focused on food and water access equality, social development, and environmental stewardship. Driven by community transformation, Walter is also a Faith Root Organizer for Clergy and Laity United for Economic Justice (CLUE). He is also a board member of Californians for Smarter Sustainability (CASS), which seeks to balance California’s economic prosperity and quality of life alongside environmental protection.

    Written in partnership with Tom White

  • Shohei Ohtani’s Dog Took Center Stage at Dodgers’ Victory Parade

    Shohei Ohtani’s Dog Took Center Stage at Dodgers’ Victory Parade

    Image credit: Unsplash

    On Friday, the Los Angeles Dodgers celebrated their World Series victory over the New York Yankees, in a historic comeback win in Game 5, with a long-awaited open-top bus parade through downtown LA, followed by a pep rally at Dodger Stadium.

    The parade started at City Hall, where fans gathered starting at 6:00 AM, and ended in the area of Fifth and Flowers Streets. It’s estimated that approximately 250,000 fans flooded the streets, wearing Dodgers jerseys that turned the cityscape into a vibrant sea of blue as they cheered and waved to the team passing by. The atmosphere was electric, with fans chanting and music blasting. 

    Among the highlights, fans witnessed Shohei Ohtani proudly lift his dog, Decoy, who was sporting a number 17 Dodgers jersey and a special parade access pass clipped to his collar. Decoy later enjoyed pets from young fans along the route, becoming an instant fan favorite.

    As the parade concluded at a sun-soaked Dodger Stadium, Ohtani addressed the 42,000 fans gathered. “This is so special,” he said in English as his teammates celebrated alongside him. “I’m just so honored to be here and to be part of this team. Congratulations, Los Angeles, thank you fans.”

    The Dodgers’ last victory parade came over three decades ago. After winning the World Series in 2020 without the chance to celebrate due to the pandemic, and the last parade-worthy win before that in 1988, the city turned out in full force for the occasion. Some fans climbed fences and traffic lights for a better view, while others decorated windows along the route, and waved flags, scarves, and handkerchiefs.

    Inside Dodger Stadium, rapper Ice Cube opened the celebration with a performance of “It’s a Good Day,” with Dodgers’ manager Dave Roberts dancing as players, families and staff joined them on the field. As each player spoke, the crowd erupted in cheers, especially for World Series MVP Freddie Freeman, who achieved a career milestone this season despite stepping away temporarily to care for his three-year-old son, Max, during an illness.

    “What’s up, LA?” Freeman called out as he stepped up to the podium, with the crowd chanting his name. He reflected on his journey and said, “I only had one leg but I got a whole group of guys that had my back all year.” He also shared his gratitude for his teammates, “From the bottom of my heart, three months ago… when I came back after my son got sick, you guys showed out for my family and I. That was one of the greatest experiences I’ve ever had on the field.”

    Earlier this year, Freeman’s son, Max, was diagnosed with Guillain-Barre syndrome, a rare neurological disorder in which the immune system attacks nerve cells. Max suffered full paralysis in July, prompting Freemad to leave the Dodgers temporarily to be with his family at the hospital. Following signs of Max’s recovery, Freeman returned to the field in August. Freeman’s family and Max joined him for Friday’s parade and stadium celebrations.

    The festivities also honored Dodgers legend Fernando Valenzuela, who would have turned 64 on Friday. Several renditions of “Happy Birthday” were sung in honor of Valenzuela who passed away last month just three days before the Series began. The team commemorated him through the series, as well, with a uniform patch featuring his name and number. On Friday night, LA’s City Hall was lit in green, white, red, and blue– the Mexican flag and Dodgers colors– to honor his legacy.

  • State Farm to Cancel Coverage for 72,000 Homes Across California

    State Farm to Cancel Coverage for 72,000 Homes Across California

    Image credit: Unsplash

    State Farm, the leading insurer in California, has recently made a significant decision that will profoundly affect homeowners and renters statewide. The company intends to terminate insurance coverage for 72,000 homes and apartments. The move comes amidst mounting concerns over the heightened risks of natural disasters, particularly devastating wildfires. State Farm also aims to address what it perceives as outdated regulatory frameworks, which hinder its ability to adapt to evolving insurance challenges.

    Set to take effect in the upcoming summer months, the decision represents a notable departure from State Farm’s previous position, following its earlier announcement to cease issuing new home policies in California. The insurance giant has attributed its latest action to a combination of factors, citing rising costs, increased risks of catastrophic events such as wildfires, and the likely limitations imposed by longstanding insurance regulations that fail to adequately address the current dynamics of the state’s insurance market.

    Issuing a recent statement, State Farm emphasized the gravity of its decision, highlighting that it was made only after a thorough examination of the company’s financial health and dedication to maintaining sufficient claims-paying capacity for its customers. The insurer reaffirmed its commitment to complying with applicable financial solvency laws, asserting that discontinuing coverage for the 72,000 properties was deemed necessary to address the ongoing challenges it faces in ensuring the long-term viability of its operations in California.

    The announcement coincides with ongoing efforts by California’s elected insurance commissioner to overhaul home insurance regulations in response to the state’s increasingly volatile insurance market. The commissioner’s proposed reforms aim to provide insurers with greater flexibility in adjusting premiums while securing commitments to extend coverage in high-risk fire areas. Employing the reform ultimately intends to strike a balance between consumer protection and market stability. 

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    The California Department of Insurance has indicated its intention to closely scrutinize State Farm’s decision, urging the company to clarify and justify its rationale. Deputy Insurance Commissioner Michael Soller expressed the regulator’s duty to hold insurance firms accountable for their actions, stressing the importance of confidence in State Farm’s future strategy to fulfill its obligations to California customers and ensure the stability and integrity of the state’s insurance market.

    While the possibility of a formal investigation remains uncertain, State Farm’s decision sheds light on the profound and unpredictable challenges facing insurers in California. Last June, the company garnered attention by announcing its decision to suspend the acceptance of applications for all business and personal lines of property and casualty insurance. Citing factors such as inflation, a challenging reinsurance market, and escalating exposure to catastrophic events, State Farm stood by the urgency of its actions and the imperative to adapt to the insurance market’s evolving risks and uncertainties. 

    State Farm has clarified that the affected policies represent slightly over 2% of its total policies in California. However, the company has refrained from divulging specific details regarding the locations or criteria used to determine which policies would not be renewed, citing confidentiality concerns and the need to protect sensitive business information. The insurance market continues to evolve, and State Farm’s decision looks to have ramifications for California coverage. 

  • California Court Debates Language of Controversial Transgender Ballot Measure

    California Court Debates Language of Controversial Transgender Ballot Measure

    Image credit: Unsplash

    In Sacramento, California, a significant legal battle is unfolding as supporters of a proposed ballot measure, which mandates school staff to inform parents if their child requests a gender identification change, confront the state’s Attorney General over the wording used to describe the initiative. The group is suing Attorney General Rob Bonta, claiming that the title and summary he provided are misleading and bias the public against the proposal.

    Currently titled the “Restrict Rights of Transgender Youth” initiative by the Attorney General’s office, the backers of the measure are pushing for it to be renamed to the “Protect Kids of California Act.” They argue that the existing title and summary do not accurately reflect the intent and implications of the measure, which they believe is designed to safeguard children.

    Dean McGee, a lawyer from the Liberty Justice Center representing the measure’s proponents, accused the Attorney General of abusing his power. “It’s an abuse of the attorney general’s power to oversee these ballot measures where he’s legally obligated to be neutral and draft a title and summary that’s impartial,” McGee stated. The initiative, if passed, would also prohibit transgender girls from participating in girls’ and women’s sports from grades 7 through college and restrict gender-affirming surgeries for minors, except under certain conditions.

    This legal challenge is part of a broader national debate over the rights of parents versus the rights of LGBTQ+ students in school settings. Similar legislative efforts are seen across the United States, with various states attempting to enforce bans on gender-affirming care, restrict transgender athletes, and mandate parental notifications of any significant changes in a child’s emotional health or well-being.

    The proponents of the California measure have collected a quarter of the 500,000 signatures required by May 28 to secure a spot on the November ballot. However, they claim that the language issued by Bonta’s office is impeding their efforts to gather sufficient support and are seeking an extension of 180 days to meet their goal.

    They specifically object to the current summary’s statements that the initiative would prohibit gender-affirming care for transgender youth “even if parents consent or if the treatment is medically recommended,” and that it requires schools to notify parents about a child’s request to be recognized as a different gender “without exception for student safety.”

    Bob Stern, former president of the Center for Governmental Studies, highlighted the significant influence of ballot measure summaries on voter behavior. He pointed out that for many voters, the summary might be the only piece of information they see before casting their vote. Stern advocates for the nonpartisan Legislative Analyst’s Office, rather than the Attorney General, to release these summaries to ensure impartiality, especially since the Attorney General, like Bonta, is an elected official with future political aspirations.

    Meanwhile, Kathie Moehlig of the TransFamily Support Services in San Diego warns of the detrimental impact such measures could have on vulnerable children. She emphasized that for some children, disclosure of their gender identity at home could pose serious risks. “The unfortunate truth is that there are some kids who are in homes where sharing about their gender identity or sexual orientation would make them unsafe,” Moehlig explained.

    As this legal battle continues, it underscores the complex intersection of parental rights, student safety, and the broader societal challenges facing transgender individuals in today’s political and social landscape.

  • Orange County Family Opens Up About How Safe Surrender Changed Their Lives

    Orange County Family Opens Up About How Safe Surrender Changed Their Lives

    Image credit: Unsplash

    A mother’s decision to give up her newborn just hours after she gave birth would change a Tustin, California, family’s life forever.

    Just hours after he was born in December 2017, baby Noah was surrendered at Fire Station 21 in Tustin. Firefighter Linda Brown, who was on scene at the time, ensured Noah’s safe surrender when he arrived with his umbilical cord tied with a Christmas ribbon.

    The baby’s arrival would be nothing short of miraculous for Javier and Tim Salazar, who both became certified to foster in Orange County two short months before. It was only three days after Noah’s surrender that the Salazars would find themselves presented with the baby boy they would eventually come to call their own.

    California’s Safe Surrender Baby Law, which allows parents to legally and safely surrender their baby within 72 hours of birth without questions asked, led to Noah’s arrival with the Salazars. He is one of the 1,341 children who have been surrendered in California since 2001.

    Screenshot 2024 03 25 at 1.30.15 PM

    Noah’s journey was not an easy one, however. During his first year, he struggled with jaundice, had difficulty eating from a bottle, and experienced other health symptoms. The family states that they had to learn how to do certain things, such as how to hold Noah, and because he couldn’t grasp a bottle well, he needed to be stimulated during feeding time.

    However, despite these challenges, the Salazars are grateful to the woman who made Noah’s life possible, who they claim did the “ultimate mother kind of thing” even though she was not ready to be one.

    Noah, who is now six, is a big brother to his sister, Kaia, whom the Salazar family adopted in 2018.

    The firefighter who facilitated Noah’s arrival has reunited with the child since their first encounter at the fire station. The couple claimed that Brown would forever be ‘Godmother Linda’ and hoped that the mother, wherever she may now be, would feel that she had made the right decision. While they understand that there might not be a day that goes by where she questions if she did or didn’t do the right thing, the Salazar family wants her to know that Noah is okay and that everything she wished for in this situation is coming true.

  • Small Businesses Are Feeling the Pressure of Rising Rent and Rapid Development in California

    Small Businesses Are Feeling the Pressure of Rising Rent and Rapid Development in California

    Image credit: Unsplash

    According to a recent report, long-standing small businesses in modern California may struggle to thrive the way they have in the past.

    Whether a current resident, visitor, or small business, California has long been known for being one of the country’s most expensive states, and this became especially true following the COVID-19 pandemic. On Monday, the Los Angeles Times reported a story highlighting small business owner Karen Kropp and the struggles that have led her to close her bookstore, Book Rack.

    L.A. Times reporter Marisa Gerber wrote, “After 40 years — the last half under Kropp’s ownership — the beloved used-book store tucked between a hot pot restaurant and a chiropractor’s office in Arcadia is closing this week.” She continued, “Slowed down by the consumer shift to online shopping and further decimated by cratering sales during the pandemic, the shop held on by a thread in the months since Kropp cashed out her life insurance policy to keep it afloat.”

    Gerber also recalled when Kropp would say things such as, “When you’re in a bookstore, you have to be a dreamer,” and the “miracle is coming.”

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    The L.A. Times report spotlighted the damper on the owner’s sentiments, adding, “But the miracle never came, and Kropp, who turns 79 later this year, knew that even if she couldn’t really afford to, it was time to retire.” According to Gerber, “She [Kropp] plans to live off her monthly Social Security check — around $1,200 after insurance premiums are deducted — and can’t afford to stay in Southern California. Instead, she will move in with her younger sister in Albuquerque once she finishes clearing out the shop.”

    “Kropp’s situation mirrors those of many aging small-business owners who, unless they have a relative eager to take over,” the report added, “are faced with complex questions about their legacy and finances.”

    Utilizing a tool from the University of Massachusetts Boston, one estimate found that “Someone in Kropp’s situation — a single renter living in L.A. County — needs $2,915 a month to cover their basic necessities,” according to the report.

    The director of the retirement security program at the UC Berkeley labor center, Nari Rhee, added that the estimated amount is “basically twice the average Social Security benefit in California.” Rhee continued to remark on how numerous elderly Californians have fallen victim to homelessness and poverty.

    After years of working at the bookstore, Kropp purchased it in the 2000s, taking over a business that routinely brought in over $10,000. However, the meteoric rise of Amazon alongside the pandemic changed everything.

    Gerber’s report stated, “Then, during the shutdowns, sales dropped to almost zero. Bills still came due, as did the shop’s rent and the fee for a storage unit where she kept overflow books, which together cost about $2,000 a month.” The report continues, “Sales eventually crept back up but never fully recovered; now, she said, it sometimes takes two days before sales hit $200.”

    A recent sales analysis from GoBankingRates Found that even a $150,000 annual salary is considered “lower middle class” income in many of California’s high-cost cities.

    California’s rent and state policies have been scrutinized by the L.A. Times before, such as when a 40-year-old attorney who moved to Florida from California, Krystal Meyer, was “driven out, she said, by financial pressures, homelessness, and a deep frustration with California’s COVID-19 restrictions.”

    Meyer reportedly told the Times, “My salary increases were not outpacing my rental increases… I was losing money every year.” Although Meyer had already been driven out of one area of California following a confrontation with a machete-wielding homeless person, it was California’s response to the coronavirus pandemic that finally forced her to relocate to Florida.

  • California Prepares to Ban Services Fees and Other Surcharges From Restaurants

    California Prepares to Ban Services Fees and Other Surcharges From Restaurants

    Image credit: Unsplash

    California is stepping up with a fresh regulation set to kick off this July, aiming to ditch those sneaky extra charges consumers find on their bills from places like eateries, taverns, lodging spots, and delivery outfits. Dubbed Senate Bill 478 and greenlit by Governor Gavin Newsom last fall, this measure is all about ditching those so-called “junk fees” to make sure the sticker price is what folks actually shell out at the end.

    Spearheaded by Senators Bill Dodd (from Napa) and Nancy Skinner (of Berkeley), this move is getting kudos as a big win for folks spending their cash, looking to dodge hidden costs. With California’s top legal eagle, Rob Bonta, throwing his weight behind it, the aim here is to cut through the fog of sneaky fees that muddle the real deal on prices, hitting back at practices that mess with consumers and fair play in the market. Advocates of the bill are buzzing, calling it a standout in the U.S. for putting the brakes on these undercover charges.

    The impending law has stirred a debate within the hospitality industry, particularly among restaurant and bar owners who have come to rely on surcharges to fund employee benefits, including healthcare and higher wages. These fees, sometimes listed as optional on menus, have been a critical component in managing financial pressures intensified by the pandemic and subsequent economic challenges. However, with the new regulation, establishments will be required to incorporate any additional charges into their menu prices, a move that is expected to significantly impact pricing strategies and overall business operations.

    James Beard Award-winning restaurateur Caroline Styne voiced concerns over the potential financial strain on businesses, predicting substantial price increases for menu items as a direct consequence of the law. The necessity to raise prices, she argues, comes at a time when restaurants are already facing considerable economic challenges, making the situation even more precarious for the industry.

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    The state has provided a grace period before the law’s implementation, aiming to give businesses adequate time to adjust. Critics of the law, however, fear that the inclusion of surcharges in menu prices could lead to sticker shock for customers and potentially reduce business for restaurants already struggling to recover from recent hardships. Furthermore, there are concerns about the broader implications of rolling mandatory fees into pricing, such as the impact on employee benefits and the operational viability of many establishments.

    The legislation also aligns with a broader national effort to eliminate junk fees, evidenced by the Biden administration’s announcement of new initiatives to tackle these practices in collaboration with the Federal Trade Commission. This synergy between state and federal efforts underscores a growing consensus on the need for greater transparency and fairness in pricing practices across the consumer landscape.

    The debate over service charges and their role in the restaurant industry highlights the complex interplay between business needs, employee welfare, and consumer rights. While some view the new law as a necessary step towards fairness and transparency, others worry about its potential to exacerbate the challenges faced by an already beleaguered industry. As California prepares to implement this groundbreaking legislation, its effects on businesses, consumers, and the broader economic landscape will be closely watched, potentially setting a precedent for similar actions across the country.

  • Illicit Marijuana Operations Continue to Fuel the Black Market, Causing Difficulties for Legal Dispensaries 

    Illicit Marijuana Operations Continue to Fuel the Black Market, Causing Difficulties for Legal Dispensaries 

    Image credit: Pexels

    Legal marijuana dispensaries in California remain fraught with challenges, accentuated by the influence of illicit black market operations. Despite the legalization of recreational marijuana use in the state, licensed dispensaries continue to grapple with the repercussions of an illegal market, casting a shadow over the industry. The issue creates formidable obstacles for compliant businesses.

    iLyfted, a dispensary in Studio City, is significantly impacted by this struggle. The dispensary’s owner articulates the profound negative impact of illicit operations on their business. The plight faced by legal dispensaries gained national attention when a dispute over marijuana allegedly resulted in the tragic deaths of six individuals in the Mojave Desert, illustrating the severity of the issue.

    While the passage of Proposition 64 in 2016 legalized the recreational use of small amounts of marijuana in California, the cultivation process remains subject to stringent regulations. This paradoxical situation has fueled the persistence of the black market. Peter Hanink, Assistant Professor of Criminology at Cal Poly Pomona, explains that the inability to meet the demand for legal marijuana has provided fertile ground for the black market to thrive, sometimes culminating in violent incidents.

    In response to the escalating issue, San Bernardino County authorities initiated Operation Hammer Strike last year, specifically targeting illegal growers. The operation yielded substantial results, with the seizure of nearly 190,000 pounds of illegal cannabis and the eradication of almost 318,000 plants. This amounted to an estimated value of $313 million.

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    Defense Attorney Allison Margolin, specializing in cannabis law, sheds light on the challenges legal dispensaries face, driving some individuals toward illegal operations. The arduous process of obtaining permits from the city or county and the state acts as a significant barrier for those seeking to establish legal dispensaries.

    Margolin dismisses the claims of SBCSD Sheriff Shannon Dicus, attributing violence surrounding illegal grow operations to Proposition 64, as outdated rhetoric reminiscent of the old playbook in the war against drugs. She suggests that such takes serve as a means for law enforcement agencies to secure additional funding for marijuana interdiction.

    The owner of iLyfted points out a critical aspect of the enforcement dilemma, that prosecutors possess the tools to crack down on illegal operations but frequently fail to do so. He emphasizes the availability of penalties, such as charging $30,000 per day for every instance of illegal activity on a property, which is not consistently enforced.

    Financial challenges further compound the struggles of legal dispensaries, as they are compelled to charge prices that are 30% above their costs to cover the taxes and fees associated with the sale of marijuana. The pricing hurdle places them at a distinct disadvantage compared to illicit operations, which can undercut prices without facing the same regulatory burdens.

    The marijuana industry remains riddled with complexities as legal dispensaries find themselves confronting regulatory challenges, violent incidents linked to the black market, and an unrelenting need to compete with illegal operations. The delicate balance between meeting the demand for legal marijuana and curbing the influence of the black market remains a significant concern in the ongoing battle for compliance and legitimacy.

  • California Teachers: Honoring Excellence in Education and the Arts

    California Teachers: Honoring Excellence in Education and the Arts

    Image credit: Unsplash

    On October 16, three Los Angeles County teachers, Casey Cuny, Andrew Lewis, and Hannah Rodriguez, were recognized as one of the five California Teachers of the Year by State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond.

    A news release from the California Department of Education praised each recipient for their impact on their students and pointed to their work as evidence of the excellence of California’s school system.

    “Congratulations to these five remarkable educators, who all display deep commitment and innovation in their work—all while supporting their students through a difficult time,” said Thurmond. “They make profound differences in their students’ lives and provide both inspiration and the practical tools students need to succeed. They are all prime examples of the exceptional work in California schools.”

     Andrew Lewis, who teaches at Ramon C. Cortines School of Visual and Performing Arts in the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD), has been teaching for 17 years and half years and currently teaches vocal music.

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    Lewis stated that the award “meant a lot to him” insofar as it drew attention to and recognized students of the arts. Doing so, he noted, was the most rewarding part of his job.

    “I think it is important to recognize that a holistic education includes the arts. It is not STEM, but STEAM, which includes the arts as a part of an education for students,” Lewis said. “To me, that’s meaningful.”

    LAUSD Board President Jackie Goldberg also recognized the importance of recognizing instruction in the arts, adding that since music education “enriches students’ lives and fosters creativity, discipline, and expression,” she found it to be a “particular joy” to see Lewis recognized.

    Lewis’s principal, Jantré Christian, praised him for demonstrating “an ongoing and consistent commitment to his students and families in our community – both inside the classroom and out” and noted the long hours that he often works to “provide students with opportunities to rehearse and participate” in public performances.

    Casey Cuny teaches honors English and senior myth and folklore at William S. Hart High School and Valencia High School in the William S. Hart Unified School District.

    He has been teaching for 18 years and, in the last year, has been named Valencia High School Teacher of the Year by his peers, District Teacher of the Year by the Hart Governing Board, and honored as one of 16 Los Angeles County Teachers of the Year.

    Thurmond was also nominated by Cuny as the California representative for the 2024 National Teacher of the Year competition, the winner to be announced next spring.

    Superintendent Mike Kuhlman described Cuny as “a role model for his students, helping them develop deep, creative, and critical thinking skills,” noting that this was the second California National Teacher of the Year from the Hart District in the last four years.

    Recognizing how much he learned from his fellow teachers, Cuny pointed to his district’s excellence, stating, “The teachers of our district are the best in the country.”