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Cato’s Project on Poverty and Inequality in California

By Michael D. Tanner

One year ago, the Cato Project on Poverty and Inequality in California released its final report along with 24 recommendations for reforming the ways in which the Golden State can fight poverty. In the year since, California has made progress on some issues, but made serious missteps as well.

A New Agenda for Fighting Poverty and Inequality in California (Sacramento)
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A New Agenda for Fighting Poverty and Inequality in California (Sacramento)

Featuring Chesa Boudin, Jeff Hewitt, Sen. Melissa Hurtado, Sen. Sydney Kamlager, Assemblyman Kevin Kiley, Sara Kimberlin, Robert Lapsley, Peter Manzo, Michael D. Tanner, Micah Weinberg, & Jim Wunderman

This conference, part of Cato’s Project on Poverty and Inequality in California, will bring together a diverse group of political, business, and academic leaders to discuss regulatory and other barriers to rebuilding economic opportunity in poor and minority communities ravaged by COVID-19.

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Common Sense Reforms to End Poverty and Inequality in California

In this 30‐​minute documentary, we explore common sense solutions to poverty and inequality, with testimony from an ideologically diverse group of business leaders, social activists, and scholars. We are proud to announce that our film won Best Documentary Editing Award at the recent Oregon Documentary Film Festival, providing us another platform and opportunity to share our ideas and inform the public of a better way forward.

Inclusive Economy
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The Inclusive Economy: How to Bring Wealth to Americas Poor

The Inclusive Economy energetically challenges the conventional wisdom of both the right and the left that underlies much of the contemporary debate over poverty and welfare policy. Author and national public policy expert Michael Tanner takes to task conservative critiques of a “culture of poverty” for their failure to account for the structural circumstances in which the poor live.

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Cato Project on Homelessness and Poverity in California - Childcare video
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Overregulation and California’s Childcare Crisis

Featuring Cato Institute

Childcare in California is hard to come by. Nearly 60% of families do not have adequate access to childcare. Those that do must pay a high price. Childcare centers average $17,000 a year per infant in the Golden State. That’s about 25% of earnings in a $70,000 a year household. The supply of childcare providers is declining. Since 2014, over 57,000 childcare providers have shuttered in California. Excessive regulations increase overhead expenses for providers, making it harder to get off the ground and stay afloat. The solution? Deregulate childcare services.