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What’s going on with poverty issues in California in 2025?

The state’s legislative leaders have already declared that affordability will be at the top of the agenda in 2025. CalMatters has a team of reporters assigned to a project we call the California Divide, focused on social mobility, poverty and affordability. In January, Gov. Gavin Newsom, legislators, anti-poverty leaders and advocates will outline their plans for the state’s 2025 agenda for addressing poverty and affordability. This page will be updated as new proposals are introduced.

CalMatters reporters working on “California Divide” issues:

Quick Facts

  • Poverty: 13% of Californians live in poverty, earning less than $39,900 a year for a family of four.
  • Child poverty: Fell from 18%  in 2019 to 9% during the pandemic, then climbed back to 14% last year.
  • Minimum wage is $16 per hour, 2nd-highest in the US. An adult with two children would need to earn more than $56/hr to support their family.
  • Wealth: The number of Californians making more than $50 million a year jumped by 158% during the pandemic, to 3,182.

Poverty related Bills

In Focus

These are all of the bills under consideration this session related to poverty. Highlighted bills are identified by CalMatters as among the most significant.

SB 739
Transportation network companies: California Clean Miles Standard and Incentive Program.

Committee: Senate Standing Committee on Human Services

In Progress
Transportation network companies: California Clean Miles Standard and Incentive Program. Committee: Senate Standing Committee on Human Services
SB 435
California Consumer Privacy Act of 2018: personal information: exemptions.

Committee: Senate Standing Committee on Human Services

In Progress
California Consumer Privacy Act of 2018: personal information: exemptions. Committee: Senate Standing Committee on Human Services
AB 1242
Language access.

Committee: Assembly Standing Committee on Health

In Progress
Language access. Committee: Assembly Standing Committee on Health
AB 673
Unaccompanied homeless pupils: Unaccompanied Youth Support Grant Program.

Committee: Assembly Standing Committee on Education

In Progress
Unaccompanied homeless pupils: Unaccompanied Youth Support Grant Program. Committee: Assembly Standing Committee on Education
AB 72
Electric Vehicle Economic Opportunity Zone: County of Riverside.

Committee: Assembly Standing Committee on Appropriations

In Progress
Electric Vehicle Economic Opportunity Zone: County of Riverside. Committee: Assembly Standing Committee on Appropriations
AB 1746
CalWORKs: childcare request forms.

Committee: Assembly Standing Committee on Human Services

In Progress
CalWORKs: childcare request forms. Committee: Assembly Standing Committee on Human Services
View All