Jeanne Kuang is an accountability reporter who covers labor, politics and California’s state government. She focuses on how well officials follow through on laws, such as indoor heat protections for workers, a higher minimum wage for fast food employees and a second chance for those convicted of crimes. Her stories also highlight how state policies affect disadvantaged communities, such as low-income renters or immigrant workers.
Previously, she wrote about homelessness and economic inequality as part of CalMatters’ California Divide team. Her reporting for a series examining long waits and low payouts for workers who claim they are victims of wage theft was honored with awards from the Society of Professional Journalists Northern California chapter and the Best of the West.
Jeanne came home to California to join CalMatters in 2022. Prior to that, she covered politics in Missouri for The Kansas City Star, where she wrote about rural health care, the battle over COVID-19 vaccination, the fallout of a law that made the state a “sanctuary” against federal gun laws, and the Republican Party’s efforts to undo voter-approved policies. She was also a city hall reporter for The News Journal in Delaware, and before that she wrote about criminal justice issues for Injustice Watch in Chicago. Jeanne grew up in the San Gabriel Valley, graduated from Northwestern University and is now based in Sacramento with her cat, Potato.
Si bien California tiene reglas para proteger a los trabajadores agrícolas del calor excesivo, las inspecciones y citaciones han disminuido significativamente. Un proyecto de ley ante la Legislatura facilitaría la presentación de reclamaciones de compensación laboral.
While California has rules to protect farmworkers from excessive heat, inspections and citations are significantly down. A bill before the Legislature would make it easier to file workers’ compensation claims for heat illnesses.
Cuando el presidente Joe Biden anunció el domingo que no buscará la reelección y respaldó a la vicepresidenta Kamala Harris, algunos delegados demócratas de California rápidamente aceptaron. El gobernador Gavin Newsom también respaldó a Harris.
With President Joe Biden announcing today he won’t seek reelection and endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris, some California Democratic delegates quickly went along. Gov. Gavin Newsom also endorsed Harris.
A judge has halted a union effort at the Wonderful Company, throwing into question a new state law designed to make it easier for agricultural workers to organize.
California no logró prohibir los centros de detención privados. Ahora se centra en las condiciones laborales de los inmigrantes que trabajan por 1 dólar al día.
Después de cinco años, una junta estatal de salud ocupacional aprueba reglas para proteger a los trabajadores del calor extremo en interiores. Podrían entrar en vigor en agosto, pero las cárceles estatales no estarán cubiertas.
After five years, a state occupational health board approves rules to protect workers from extreme heat indoors. They could take effect in August, but state prisons will not be covered.
Una ley de 2021 produjo una multa de $6 millones contra Amazon por supuestamente no notificar a los empleados de dos instalaciones de Inland Empire sobre los objetivos de producción.