1. Poverty, the Safety Net, and Building a More Inclusive Economy
November 2, 2018
Sarah Bohn

2. The economy is booming in California
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics.

3. The economy is booming in California#6
in economic growth
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics.

4. But poverty is high, as is the income divide
#50 in poverty
Source: PPIC-Stanford California Poverty Measure estimates, 2012–2015.

5. Income growth has been slow (or negative) for the bottom half
Source: PPIC calculations from Current Population Survey data, based on family income in California, normalized for family size and adjusted for inflation.

6. Job opportunities in California will remain polarized
Projected Job Growth Rank
Occupation
Median Annual Earnings 1
Personal Care Aides
$24,419 2
Combined Food Preparation and Serving Workers
$24,193 3
Software Developers: Applications
$123,085 4
Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers
$28,396 5
Registered Nurses
$102,288 6
Waiters and Waitresses
$25,818 7
General and Operations Managers
$113,686 8
Market Research Analysts, Marketing Specialists
$71,473 9
Carpenters
$55,361 10
Medical Assistants
$35,642
Source: California Employment Development Department, projections.

7. What can or should government policy do?
Source: PPIC Statewide Survey, May 2017.

8. What can or should government policy do?
Safety net programs:
Reduce poverty and inequality by 40%
Largely contingent on work…and support a working poor population in California
Potential to address barriers to mobility
Source: PPIC Statewide Survey, May 2017.

9. What can or should government policy do?
Safety net programs:
Reduce poverty and inequality by 40%
Largely contingent on work…and support a working poor population in California
Potential to address barriers to mobility
Education and training:
Achievement gaps are driver of disparate economic outcomes
Major area of new state investment
Must expand career pathways
Source: PPIC Statewide Survey, May 2017.

10. Poverty, the Safety Net, and Building a More Inclusive Economy
November 2, 2018
Sarah Bohn