Guest Commentary

Commentary

Why fast-tracking oil drilling in California won’t lower prices at the pump

Lawmakers just enabled fast-tracking of new oil drilling permits in Kern County. Gas prices are mainly moved by other economic forces.

By Deborah Sivas • September 16, 2025

Commentary

California faces a self-created oil and gas crisis. Lawmakers should consider these steps next

Newsom’s long-overdue acknowledgement of a pending gasoline crisis — together with the Legislature’s last-minute actions — are a start, but also a piecemeal approach to addressing a critical problem.

By Michael Mische • September 16, 2025

Commentary

After LA fires, a ‘toxic soup’ lingers in the homes that remain, endangering families

After the Eaton and Palisades fires, some still standing homes are embedded with toxic residue, including cyanide, asbestos and heavy metals. Insurers don’t want to cover this.

By Nicole Kolinsky • September 15, 2025

Commentary

Mask bans in California create constitutional questions that are hard to answer

Efforts to ban masks on protesters and to unmask law enforcement officers often balance competing societal priorities.

By Stephen Routh • September 12, 2025

Commentary

The longer California squabbles over ‘local control,’ the more people it pushes to other states

California’s housing crisis produces untold human misery and environmental degradation. It also proves that control can no longer be local when the consequences are universal.

By Stan Oklobdzija • September 10, 2025

Commentary

Extreme heat in homes sickens and kills. California lawmakers can fight it

As climate change makes for more 100-degree days, California legislators are considering a bill to set a maximum indoor temperature standard for homes.

By Pedro Zacarias • September 9, 2025

Commentary

California faces a nursing shortage. Community colleges can help

Assembly Bill 1400 would enable some of California’s community colleges to offer bachelor of nursing programs. Students could pursue their education in their communities, at a cost they could afford. 

By Betty Limon • September 8, 2025

Commentary

Secrecy, cost overruns plague California’s billion-dollar Capitol annex project

California should audit the the Capitol annex project, examining its contracts, scope, budget decisions and financial dealings.

By Richard Cowan • September 5, 2025

Commentary

California law silences abuse victims in court. Why won’t the Legislature change this?

California courts often restrict defendants who are abuse victims from using evidence of violence against them as a defense. Lawmakers just rejected a bill that would allow it.

By Susan Bustamante • September 2, 2025

Commentary

Corporate middlemen are pushing California’s pharmacies to the brink

Independent pharmacies are closing across California and nationwide, and chain pharmacies aren’t far behind. Pharmacy benefit managers have a chokehold on prescriptions and their pricing.

By Sonya Frausto • August 29, 2025