July 10, 2023

California State Budget | How Texas Shrank its Homeless Population | Sac State Hosts Homeless World Cup

50 minutes

Updated Jul. 11

A breakdown of California’s state budget and the latest State Capitol headlines. How Texas shrank its homelessness population and what it can teach California. Sac State hosts the Homeless World Cup.

California state budget

While some of us were enjoying time off for July 4th, this month comes with a fresh financial picture for California– to the tune of a state budget totaling $310 billion. But a feat that involves state lawmakers and Gov. Gavin Newsom’s signature came with negotiations up to the finish line, given that California is facing a $32 billion shortfall. In addition to hashing out the state’s financial priorities, there is also a key transition of power that took place within the California Assembly– a new speaker for the first time since 2016. CapRadio Politics Reporter Nicole Nixon joins us to provide more details into California’s $310-billion budget and brings us up to speed on other notable updates from the Capitol, including an infrastructure package Gov. Newsom is expected to sign today.

Texas shrank homeless population

California has invested billions of dollars in response to homelessness in recent years. Yet the number of unhoused people has ballooned to record numbers– despite new or expanded resources and programs. And it touches every corner of the state, fueling compassion and concern, but also despair and frustration. It can feel impossible to solve, or even reduce. But that’s not the case in Texas. The state is gaining notice from California elected officials about its progress over the past decade in reducing the number of people experiencing homelessness, while investing a fraction of the money. CalMatters Reporter Marisa Kendall traveled to Texas to learn how the state differs in its response to homelessness and what it can teach California. Texas recorded a 28% drop in homelessness since 2012, while California’s homeless population grew by 43%. Marisa explains what’s behind the diverging trends, and what California can learn from programs in Houston, Austin and San Antonio.

Homeless World Cup

Soccer is known as the world’s most popular sport, with fans and players that touch pretty much every country. This weekend Sacramento State welcomed more than two dozen countries to compete in a soccer tournament with a cause. The players have all experienced homelessness within the past year from countries spanning Australia, Italy, South Korea, Nigeria, Pakistan and Brazil. The Homeless World Cup started 20 years ago as a competition with a purpose. Players get inspiration and support to change their own lives, while changing perceptions and attitudes towards the global issue of homelessness. And this year is the first time the U.S. was selected as a host country. Sacramento is joining previous Homeless World Cup hosts like Paris, Mexico City and Austria. Head of communications for the Homeless World Cup Matthew Williams discusses the Homeless World Cup at Sac State which takes place July 8 to July 15.

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