California Policy Lab September 2025 Newsletter

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12,000 Californians resentenced through second look policy reforms

CPL’s research series focuses on five specific reforms, showing that most people resentenced and released after long prison sentences had very low recidivism rates. Research series

11,000 LA residents filed for unemployment due to the January wildfires

The employment impacts from the fires extended well beyond the fire zones, with residents of Central and South Los Angeles also filing a significant number of claims. Report

Experiments “nudge” Californians to claim valuable credits and stimulus payments

Sending light-touch “nudges” like emails and robocalls increased the number of low-income Californians who claimed the expanded Child Tax Credit and stimulus payments, according to new joint CPL research featured in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Journal article

Student loan delinquencies surge

About 1 in 10 student loan borrowers in California are now 30+ days or more late on paying back their student loans, with higher delinquency rates for Gen X and Baby Boomers as compared to Gen Z. Fact Sheet

Hosted research: fire insurance and neighborhood change

CPL not only does its own research, we also facilitate studies by other researchers:

1.California’s “last-resort” fire insurance plan (FAIR) distributes the pain of wildfires inequitably, favoring less diverse, high-homeowner communities where wildfire risk is high. Hilbig, Hen & Macaraeg

2. Do neighborhoods change because new people move in or because existing residents leave or change? New evidence using credit data. Ramiller

CPL is hiring a Policy Director

Are you a seasoned policy professional with deep experience in Sacramento and state government? Come join our team! CPL just opened a new Sacramento office and this is an exciting opportunity to help craft and strengthen how we engage with policymakers across California. First review date is October 10th. Job posting

CPL wins 2025 Public Impact Research Award

The award is given to recognize research that produces meaningful public impact, especially when paired with sustained efforts to share new insights with the broader public. UCLA PIR Award

CPL hosts event launching new Sacramento office

Our kick-off event focused on one of the most pressing issues facing Californians: affordability. We featured remarks from Sen. Jesse Arrreguín, CalHHS Secretary Kim Johnson, EDD Director Nancy Farias, and Chief Demographer Walter Schwarm. Stay tuned for upcoming events at our space across the street from the Capitol. Press release and pictures

Welcome to our new CPL colleagues

We’re thrilled to have you on board!

Evan White speaking at Science for Health Policy Summit (Oct 29th)

Evan White will speak on a panel about the importance of research partnerships with policymakers. While the in-person event is at capacity, there is a waiting list and an option to watch the livestream. Registration

Janey Rountree speaking at 2025 Ivory Prize Summit (Oct 29th)

CPL’s Janey Rountree and Dana Vanderford from LA Housing for Health will speak on a panel about their work designing, launching, and managing the Homelessness Prevention Unit, which was selected as a top 10 finalist for the Ivory Prize for Housing Affordability. Registration (in-person or online).

Training on policy brief writing now available

During last month’s training, Evan White presented on framing evidence effectively for policy audiences. The recording is now available, as is CPL’s primer on policy brief writing. CRB Nexus Training: Writing for impact

California shrank prisons with sentencing changes. A new study shows how that’s working

This article focuses on CPL’s new research series focused on five second look policies in California. The Davis Vanguard and local radio and TV also covered the new research.

Californians are falling behind on student loan payments — and most ‘delinquents’ aren’t who you’d expect

Evan White is interviewed about CPL’s new fact sheet. The new research was also covered by the SF Chronicle, Desert Sun, the Business Journal, and by TV outlets across the state.

Report finds LA wildfires led to spike in unemployment claims around the county

Prof. Till von Wachter is interviewed about CPL’s new report on unemployment following the January LA wildfires. The research was also covered by LAist, the Pasadena Star-News, and local TV outlets.

Support our work
Consider donating to support our work generating research insights for government impact. If you are interested in making a larger gift, please reach out to Evan White or Janey Rountree to discuss opportunities to support CPL.