The number of homeless students in California has risen in the last year.
As CalMatters’ Carolyn Jones explains, schools are required by federal law to count their homeless students. In the most recent data published in June, the state had 230,443 homeless students — a 9.3% increase from the previous year. For the purposes of this data, the definition of homelessness is broader than the state’s point in time count.
Though some of that increase can be attributed to California’s housing crunch, schools are also getting better at identifying students who are struggling with housing. Part of the reason could be due to a 2021 state law requiring schools to train staff to recognize potential signs of homelessness. Despite falling enrollment numbers last year, for example, the state identified 21,000 more homeless students than the year before.
Compared to their housed peers, homeless students experience worse learning outcomes and higher rates of discipline and absenteeism. But once schools can identify who is homeless, they can also offer these students extra support, such as transportation to and from school, free school supplies and tutoring.
- Barbara Duffield, executive director of Schoolhouse Connection, a national homeless youth advocacy group: “Schools can’t solve homelessness, but they can ensure the students are safe in the classroom and getting the education they need to get out of homelessness.”
Speaking of schools: CalMatters’ Tara García Mathewson and Carolyn also report that California school districts are scrambling after President Donald Trump’s administration sent notice on Monday that it is withholding crucial federal grant money that schools had already budgeted for this year.
In March Congress approved earmarking about $6.2 billion for K-12 schools nationwide, including nearly $811 million for California. The U.S. Department of Education was expected to release the money on Tuesday, but instead sent an email to schools saying it was still reviewing the funds. The grants go toward teacher professional development, after school programs, services for students learning English and other programs. In response, the state is considering suing the Trump administration.
Focus on Inland Empire: Each Wednesday, CalMatters Inland Empire reporter Deborah Brennan surveys the big stories from that part of California. Read her newsletter and sign up here to receive it.
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Other Stories You Should Know
Congress nixes AI moratorium proposal
In a 99-1 vote, the U.S. Senate struck down a measure Monday that would have included a decade-long ban on state governments from regulating artificial intelligence in Trump’s “big, beautiful” budget bill, writes CalMatters’ Ryan Tate.
Republicans joined Democrats to oppose the measure during its final vote, with some GOP lawmakers publicly denouncing the proposed moratorium as a violation of states’ rights. U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina was the lone “no” vote to not strip the provision from the budget bill.
Had it passed, the proposal would have made enforcing over 20 AI-related laws California passed last year illegal, and jeopardize 30 bills the state Legislature is currently considering.
State Sen. Josh Becker, a Menlo Park Democrat who authored a law to increase AI transparency, said in an email that he was encouraged that Congress “came to its senses.”
- Becker: “In the absence of a strong federal standard, states must retain the flexibility to advance AI in ways that do not compromise safety, privacy, or the rights of our residents.”
Incarcerated firefighters closer to wage hike
Following years of advocacy, California is poised to pay its incarcerated firefighters the federal minimum wage of $7.25 an hour during an active fire, reports CalMatters’ Cayla Mihalovich.
The proposed wage hike comes with the finalization of the state budget deal on Monday, which sets aside $10 million of ongoing funds for incarcerated firefighter wages. The Senate would still need to approve the bill that would mandate the pay raise, which advanced through the Assembly last month with strong bipartisan support. If passed, the hike will take effect Jan. 1.
For the physical and mental health strains they must undergo while carrying out their jobs, incarcerated firefighters are paid between $5.80 and $10.24 per day, and an additional $1 per hour during active emergencies.
Assemblymember Isaac Bryan, a Culver City Democrat who authored the bill, said the move was “long overdue.”
- Bryan: “It feels really beautiful and life changing for folks who have sacrificed to save others during their time being held accountable for whatever harms they may have caused in their past.”
During the deadly Los Angeles County wildfires in January, Cal Fire deployed at least 800 incarcerated firefighters.
And lastly: CA raises excise tax on legal weed
On Tuesday an increased excise tax on legal cannabis kicked in, dealing a major blow to California’s beleaguered cannabis industry. Though the Legislature is considering a bill to lower the tax back to its previous rate through 2031, one lawmaker argues that the new tax hike has the potential to “kill this industry.” Find out how much the hike is from CalMatters’ Alexei Koseff.
California Voices
CalMatters columnist Dan Walters: After carving out minor exemptions that nibble at the edges of the California Environmental Quality Act, Gov. Gavin Newsom and the Legislature have finally imposed major limits to the landmark environmental law.
Lawmakers must pass an Assembly bill that would strengthen the state’s efforts to manage its precious groundwater — otherwise it risks putting California’s water future in further jeopardy, writes Scott Hayman, chairperson of the Indian Wells Valley Groundwater Authority.
Other things worth your time:
Kids are making deepfakes of each other and laws aren’t keeping up // The Markup
CA Republicans ask Trump to focus immigration efforts on ‘violent criminals’ // The Orange County Register
New laws Californians must start following on July 1 // San Francisco Chronicle
CA AG says 23andMe sale ‘does not comply’ with state law // Politico
Embattled San Mateo County Sheriff accused of misconduct by civil grand jury // KQED
Immigration raids leave crops unharvested, CA farms at risk // Reuters
Mass deportations could cost the San Joaquin Valley more than $19B, study finds // The Fresno Bee
Wolf and Juniper fires among over a dozen wildfires in 72 hours // Los Angeles Times
Eaton Fire’s 18th victim has been identified. He was an actor and a teacher // Los Angeles Times
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