Julie Small Sacramento Correspondent
- Phone: 916-930-9623
Julie Small covers state government, prisons and the California Supreme Court for Southern California Public Radio.
Before joining KPCC, Julie spent 7 years as the deputy foreign editor for Public Radio’s critically acclaimed "Marketplace." She helped shape the show’s coverage of Asia during China ascendency and India’s growing economic influence. She was the Los Angeles producer of a two-week live broadcast from China in 2006 and produced some other series on counterfeit goods, and the effect of the Iraq War on European-US trade relations. She also produced the "Marketplace Morning Report" for a stint.
Small is a former staff reporter for the Los Angeles Times. She's also reported for NPR, "The California Report," and "Weekend America."
Small earned her master's degree in Journalism from the University of Southern California Annenberg School of Communication.
In 1996 she helped launch a national campaign for redress for Japanese-Latin Americans interned by the U.S. government during World War II. The group won a settlement from the U.S. Department of Justice in 1998.
When she’s not walking the halls of the state capitol, Julie spends her free time enjoying life with her family in the San Francisco Bay Area, but she misses her home town of Los Angeles.
Stories by Julie Small
Prison Receiver Pushes Governor to Free Up Funding for Prison Hospitals
Last month, Republican lawmakers in Sacramento defeated a plan to borrow $7 billion to build new prison hospitals in California. Now, the federal receiver appointed to fix up prison medical care has appealed to Governor Schwarzenegger for help. KPCC's Julie Small says he wants the Governor to use special emergency powers to free up the $7 billion he needs.
Gov. Schwarzenegger Declares Statewide Drought
Governor Schwarzenegger has declared a statewide drought. He told reporters in Sacramento that for two years, snow levels in the Sierras have been lower than normal and rainfall statewide has been meager. KPCC's Julie Small reports that the Governor is taking steps to make sure California sips instead of gulps.
Officials Seek More Time to Address Prison Overcrowding
Attorneys for prisoners, and state and local officials asked federal judges today for another month to try and reach an agreement to reduce the state's prison population by tens of thousands of inmates. Sounds tough, but the alternative could be worse. A three-judge panel is considering whether to limit California's prison population, which could mean things like releasing prisoners early. KPCC's Julie Small was at the San Francisco courthouse for the proceeding.
Bill for New Prison Hospitals Defeated
In Sacramento today, Senate Republicans defeated a bill that would have allocated $7 billion for new hospitals in state prisons. A court-appointed federal receiver in charge of improving inmates' access to mental and medical care had asked for the money. KPCC's Julie Small reports that the legislature's refusal to make that money available could boomerang on the state.
California Supreme Court Case Pits Civil Rights Against Freedom of Religion
The California Supreme Court heard oral arguments Tuesday in San Francisco in a case that pits freedom of religion against civil rights. KPCC's Julie Small says the case involves doctors who refused to artificially inseminate a lesbian patient.
Judges Hear Arguments on Prison Transfers
A three-judge appeals court panel heard arguments Tuesday in Sacramento about the transfer of 4,000 California inmates to prisons out of state. Governor Schwarzenegger ordered the transfers a year-and-a-half ago to reduce prison overcrowding. The powerful prison guards union sued to stop them, and won. But the state appealed, and now the case has reached California's Third District Court of Appeals. KPCC's Julie Small reports that if the state loses, it might have to take those inmates back.
Investigation into Out-of-State Death of California Inmate
The federal receiver in charge of California prison medical care has sent a team to investigate a prisoner's death in Mississippi. The inmate was among four thousand transferred out-of-state to reduce overcrowding in California prisons. KPCC's Julie Small explains why this inmate death could call the transfer policy into question.
State May Scale Back Home Care Services
About 400,000 Californians need help with daily tasks around their homes. They're either too poor, too old or disabled. The state subsidizes the people who help. Governor Schwarzenegger wants to scale back those services to help erase the state's $15 billion deficit. KPCC's Julie Small has more.
Board Approves Option to Drop Children from Health Program
California has a collection of medical insurance programs aimed at providing healthcare to those who can't pay for it. The board that runs one of those programs yesterday adopted rules so it can drop children from the program. KPCC's Julie Small says those new rules are one of many steps California has to take to provide health insurance to the poor when it doesn't have enough money to do it.
More Medi-Cal Cuts Threaten Healthcare Statewide
The State Capitol is still buzzing over Governor Schwarzenegger's plan to leverage the lottery to help close a $15 billion deficit. But Wednesday, a State Senate committee will examine a deficit reduction proposal that has doctors and hospitals worried. The Governor wants deeper cuts to the Medi-Cal program - the state program that provides care to California's poorest patients. KPCC's Julie Small has the story.
Remote Hospitals Face Tough Road Ahead with Budget Cuts
Governor Schwarzenegger backed off many of the budget cuts he proposed in January to offset the state's $15 billion deficit. He dropped most cuts to education and a threat to close state parks. Schwarzenegger released his revised budget proposal last week and it included deepened cuts to health care providers. They're already reeling from a 10 percent cut in Medi-Cal, the state's health insurance for the poor. It'll be tough enough for urban hospitals to cope with that. KPCC's Julie Small says it'll be nearly impossible for remote hospitals, like one at Lake Arrowhead.
Legislative Analyst Weighs In On Revised State Budget
The state's legislative analyst says she sees a few dents in Governor Schwarzenegger's shiny new plan to use the lottery to close the state budget deficit. The Governor wants to rev up lottery ticket sales, then borrow against the new revenue to balance the state budget now. But KPCC's Julie Small says the woman who watches the dollars and cents says the plan could shortchange California schools.
Same Sex Couples Applaud Gay Marriage Ruling
Clerks at the California Supreme Court were ready with copies of yesterday's ruling that struck down California's ban on gay marriage. Dozens of couples were there, many who married four years ago when San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom ordered the city clerk's office to issue licenses.
Lawmakers Criticize Governor's Lottery Plan
Governor Schwarzenegger unveiled his plan yesterday for coping with the state's 15 billion dollar deficit. He wants to borrow $15 billion against the future sales of California's lottery. KPCC's Julie Small says state lawmakers didn't take to the idea much.
Governor to Unveil Revised Budget Plan
Governor Schwarzenegger unveils his revised budget proposal today in Sacramento. KPCC's Julie Small already has seen portions that were leaked.
