Commentary
Does spending more on schools pay off?
California's ongoing debate over K-12 education usually centers on money, but data indicate that spending more doesn't necessarily translate into better academic achievement.
No clear frontrunner for governor, but new poll names five with the best shot
A poll shows three Democrats and two Republicans have voter support percentages in the teens. The top two vote-getters in June will face off in November.
She spent six of her last years in arbitration with her HMO. Her husband’s still fighting the system
Arbitrators in medical disputes are supposed to be unbiased, but this couple suspected there is an incentive to favor HMO’s in arbitration.
A former political ally tests LA liberals’ allegiance to Mayor Karen Bass
Mayor Karen Bass isn't vulnerable on her right, but she may be on her left, as City Councilmember Nithya Raman, a Democratic Socialist and ex-supporter, runs against her.
California promised accountability for inmate deaths in jails. A year later, no results.
Lawmakers passed a law creating a state department to review inmate deaths, but it hasn’t completed a single death review in its first year.
Yousef Baig
California Voices Editor
Denise Amos
California Voices Deputy Editor
Dan Walters
Columnist
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Contributor
Pedro Rios
Contributor
Robert Greene
Contributor
Economy
Small businesses need state aid
Mark Herbert, California director for Small Business Majority, Concord Although California leads the nation in expanding healthcare coverage, too many middle income entrepreneurs and small business employees are struggling to afford health insurance. Something is being done about this problem, but it isn’t quite enough just yet. As part of the next state budget, California […]
Commentary
Weekly Walters 06/21/2019
A collection of commentaries by Dan Walters over the past week.
Commentary
California wildfires threaten water supply. Here’s how
Marc Marcantonio: Public drinking water suppliers’ financial stability is threatened if they are saddled with the cost of damage caused by fires they don’t start. And that could put the safety of our drinking water at risk.
Commentary
Democratic voters more centrist than their party
The recent state Democratic Party convention was dominated by the party's left-wing activists, but the broader array of Democratic voters doesn't lean as far to the port.
Commentary
Wall Street salivates at the housing ‘solution’ offered by Senate Bill 50
John Mirisch: Scores of housing bills circulate in Sacramento, one worse than the next. Collectively, they threaten to destroy our unique and dynamic communities to various degrees, many in the service of Wall Street and other special interest groups. Wall Street is notorious for not caring about the path of destruction it leaves in its wake in search of ever-greater profits.
Commentary
Bill reduces ballot measure transparency
A new bill would water down the requirement that local governments be upfront on the taxation effects of their tax and bond ballot measures.
Capitol
George Tyndall’s ‘patients’ turn to the Legislature for justice
Nicole Haynes and Mai Mizuno: AB 1510 would give Dr. George Tyndall's 'patients' a choice: Join the federal class action, or fight it out alone in state civil court, a venue that could more fully hold Tyndall and USC accountable. We are fighting to put the past and our shared secret behind us and move forward with our lives. We hope California legislators will understand, and not suppress our individual voices and rights.
Commentary
California Legislature must act to protect environment from Trump’s assaults
Terry Tamminen: Federal agencies plan to ignore new state requirements in order to deliver more San Francisco Bay-Delta water to powerful San Joaquin Valley farmers in the Westlands Water District. This would do more than harm salmon fishermen and the West Coast’s largest estuary. An elegant solution lies in Senate Bill 1 by Senate President Pro Tem Toni Atkins.
Commentary
Cities pledge to find solutions to California’s homeless crisis
Carolyn Coleman: There is no single or easy solution to address homelessness, but building more affordable housing is a major part of the answer. That is why the League of California Cities strongly supports Gov. Newsom’s budget proposals which provide more resources, and Senate Bill 5 to help support the construction of more housing for low- and very-low income Californians.