When asked to name the most important environmental issue facing the state today, Californians are most likely to mention water supply and drought—a shift from a year ago. About six in ten Californians approve of Governor Newsom’s handling of environmental issues, and a similar share approve of President Biden on the environment. Overwhelming majorities of […]
Public Policy Institute of California
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PPIC: State Makes Progress on Wildfire and Forest Health Policy
Californians are gearing up for what could be another dangerous wildfire season, particularly in light of significant drought conditions. Grasses, shrubs, and forests are drying out early due to a lack of precipitation, providing potential fuel for wildfires. Red flag warnings—when high winds and low humidity increase fire risk—have already been issued this year across […]
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Many in State Say the Worst of COVID-19 Is Ahead for U.S.
SAN FRANCISCO, June 3, 2020—Many Californians believe that the worst is yet to come for the US with the COVID-19 pandemic, and less than three in ten believe restrictions on physical activity in their area should be decreased. Governor Newsom’s job approval has increased since earlier this year—and most Californians approve of his handling of […]
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PPIC: “All Hands on Deck” Approach Needed to Manage Growing Water Stress in the San Joaquin Valley
SAN FRANCISCO, February 20, 2019—The San Joaquin Valley, California’s largest agricultural region and an important contributor to the nation’s food supply, is on the brink of a major transition as it seeks to balance its groundwater accounts. Implementing the state’s Sustainable Groundwater Management Act—which requires overdrafted groundwater basins to achieve balance between supply and demand […]
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PPIC: Majority of Californians Oppose Trump’s Travel Ban
SAN FRANCISCO, March 22, 2017 – Most Californians disapprove of President Donald Trump’s order banning travel to the US by people from six majority Muslim countries, according to a statewide survey released today by the Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC) with funding from the James Irvine Foundation. When Californians are asked about the president’s […]
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PPIC: Costs Per Degree Fall Significantly at CSU, UC
SAN FRANCISCO, March 16, 2017—The costs of producing a college degree have declined significantly at California’s four-year public higher education systems, the University of California (UC) and California State University (CSU). Institutional costs per degree across UC and CSU fell 17 percent from 1987 to 2013, the year of the most recent data. These are […]
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PPIC: High Rates of Child Poverty Found Even in State’s Most Prosperous Regions
SAN FRANCISCO, February 22, 2017—Nearly every region in California includes areas with very high rates of poverty among young children, according to a report released today by the Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC). Poverty varies widely across regions among children age 5 and younger. It is lowest—around 20 percent—in Northern California and highest—nearly 30 […]