benefits – California Globe

The Alchemy of Wealth Taxation

August 31, 2026 8:00 amAugust 31, 2026 9:36 am

“Transmutation” is the process of changing one substance, element, or form into another. We owe this word to the ancient pursuit of alchemy, which sought “the artificial production of gold” from base metals. While it is now considered a pseudo-science,...

Asymmetric Pension Smoothing: A Prudent Reform to Strengthen CalPERS and CalSTRS Funded Ratios

June 26, 2026 8:00 amJune 26, 2026 8:01 am

Public pension systems in California, particularly CalPERS and CalSTRS, face persistent challenges in achieving full funding despite periodic strong investment returns. With CalPERS’ funded ratio recently improving to approximately 79% following solid market performance, meaningful structural reforms are essential to...

Free Groceries: San Francisco Opens Controversial $5.5 Million ‘Food Empowerment’ Market

June 12, 2024 2:45 amJune 12, 2024 2:46 am

The city of San Francisco opened a new San Francisco’s Human Services Agency market where it gives free groceries to qualifying residents. This sparked outrage amongst many in the city over the program’s $5.5 million price tag at a time...

Proposed Constitutional Amendment on Workers’ Rights

May 2, 2023 6:32 amMay 2, 2023 6:38 am

On May 1, Senate Constitutional Amendment (SCA) 7 was introduced by Senator Tom Umberg (D-Santa Ana), along with seven Senate Democratic co-authors. SCA 7, if placed before the voters, would add Section 1.5 to Article XIV of the California Constitution....

Kaiser Permanente Mental Health Employees Begin Week-Long Strike Across California

December 16, 2019 4:22 pm

Over 4,000 Kaiser Permanente mental health employees went on strike throughout California Monday over better working conditions, better mental health care, and reduced benefits. A strike by the National Union of Healthcare Workers (NUHW) had been in the works for...