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
Local Law Enforcement Officers, Firefighters Honored for Heroism
Governor Schwarzenegger joined Attorney General Jerry Brown on Tuesday to give the Medal of Valor to five public safety officers from Los Angeles and Oxnard. The Medal of Valor is the state's highest award for heroic deeds.
African American Voters Weigh Chances of Electing a Black President
African Americans will comprise upwards of 15% of Democratic primary voters in California come February. That could make them key players in deciding who wins the state ... and perhaps the nomination for president. As part of our continuing coverage of the February primary, KPCC's Frank Stoltze looks at one question weighing heavily for many Democratic African American voters in the Golden State: What are the chances of electing a black president?
Federal Receiver Says California Inmate Deaths Were Preventable
The federal receiver in charge of reforming medical treatment in California prisons has concluded that 18 of the 426 inmates who died last year would be alive today if they'd received proper medical care.
A Year Later, Questions Still Exist About E. Coli Outbreak
This week's recall of salad bags put out by Dole is prompting memories of last September's e-Coli outbreak. Three people died after eating spinach that was grown on a farm near the central coast, but investigators haven't been able to figure out how the spinach got contaminated.
Special Session to Focus on Health Care, Water Storage
The state legislative session ended Tuesday night, but Governor Schwarzenegger has called a special session so lawmakers can work on health care and water reform legislation.
Governor to Veto Healthcare Reform Bill, Calls Special Session
State lawmakers passed healthcare reform legislation Monday that would provide insurance for nearly half of California's 6.7 million uninsured, but Governor Schwarzenegger says he will veto it because it places too big of a burden on businesses.
California Lawmakers Pass Health Care Reform; Governor Promises Veto
Democrats in Sacramento passed legislation Monday that would provide health insurance to three million uninsured Californians. Governor Schwarzenegger plans to veto the bill and call a special legislative session. KPCC State Capitol reporter Julie Small detailed the health care fight with All Things Considered host Shirley Jahad.
County Officials Join in Lawsuit to Oppose Prison Population Cap
Several county officials will intervene in a lawsuit that is aimed to dissuade a panel of federal judges from capping the state's prison population. The officials want to prevent a scenario where the state releases 35,000 prisoners early. Counties also have another reason for inserting themselves in the lawsuit: they want more funding for programs they run to keep people out of prison.
Doctors and Hospitals Wary of Proposed Fees
With only two weeks left in the legislative session, there's still a chance that lawmakers can pass a health care reform bill. Governor Schwarzenegger and his advisors are trying to win support from doctors and hospitals for a key element: A fee the governor says will cure what ails health care in California. But KPCC's Julie Small says to the doctors and the hospitals, that cure smells like castor oil.
Lawmakers Debate Future of Earthquake Insurance Program
The law that created the California Earthquake Authority expires next year and insurance companies will no longer have to pay into the state earthquake insurance program. Lawmakers are now debating a compromise plan to keep insurers on board.
Governor, Lawmakers Look for Consensus on Healthcare Reform
Governor Schwarzenegger and legislative leaders are hoping to reach an agreement on healthcare reform by the end of the legislative session. The Governor and lawmakers disagree over how many people should be covered and who should pay for coverage.
State Changes Process for Handling Unclaimed Goods
The budget approved by the legislature this week will allow the state controller's office to get more aggressive in tracking down owners of abandoned property.
California Senate Approves State Budget
The California legislature passed the state budget yesterday, more than 50 days after the start of the fiscal year. Governor Schwarzenegger is expected to sign the spending plan soon, but not before he slashes $700 million from it.
Riverside County Has Lots of People, Too Few Judges
The Inland Empire's population boom, coupled with Sacramento politics, has brought the hiring of new judges to a crawl in Riverside.
California Lawmakers Face Little Consequence With Tardy Budgets
State lawmakers are now 38 days overdue in passing a state budget and they've missed the July 1st budget deadline in seven of the last ten years. Other states don't behave this way, which got KPCC's state capital reporter Julie Small wondering if California's a "problem child."
