Guest Commentary

Commentary

The proud walk from a prison block to the Cal State L.A. graduation stage

Jose A. Gomez, Cal State LA: California voters have shown overwhelming support for providing rehabilitation services and increasing parole opportunities. As thousands of inmates begin to be released, many after spending much of their adult lives in prison, we must find creative, effective ways to help them return successfully to our communities.

By Guest Commentary • February 23, 2020

Commentary

California should not list acetaminophen as a carcinogen. It is a safe, important pain reliever

Dr. Shalini Shah and Dr. Edward Mariano: Acetaminophen should not be given a Proposition 65 warning. Such a listing would confuse consumers. Acetaminophen has been studied extensively in human and animal research, and there is no clear evidence that acetaminophen should be considered a carcinogen.

By Guest Commentary • February 20, 2020

Commentary

California’s declining school enrollment doesn’t justify $15 billion Proposition 13 school bond

Mark Fulmer and Jerrold Jensen: With current staffing levels, California’s projected enrollment loss will eliminate the need for about 1,000 teachers and 1,000 classrooms and hundreds of non-classroom employees. So why are Californians being asked to approve a $15 billion school construction bond?

By Guest Commentary • February 19, 2020

Commentary

California must use the sun to reduce greenhouse gas emissions—and recognize there’s more than one way to do that

Michael Wyatt, K Hovnanian Homes: The California Energy Commission rightfully saw fit to allow alternatives to rooftop solar. For some consumers, solar panels on their newly constructed home is the right choice. For others, on-site or off-site solar energy is the best to fit their needs. That’s why the Feb. 20 vote by the energy commission is so important.

By Guest Commentary • February 19, 2020

Commentary

California’s true energy crisis: What to do about the electricity grid

Lloyd Levine, energy consultant: Pacific Gas & Electric Co. is about to emerge from bankruptcy, but the biggest energy issue facing California isn’t PG&E’s finances, its corporate structure, or its ownership. It’s the power lines.

By Guest Commentary • February 18, 2020

Commentary

Power shutdowns have dire consequences on California businesses. Lawmakers should help out, not make it worse

Lance Hastings and Jot Condie, California Manufacturers & Technology Association and California Restaurant Association: California businesses cannot withstand a repeat of the 2019 power shutoffs. Policymakers must allow businesses and residents to have choices for reliable energy today, while legislators work to pass a long-term solution that strengthens our grid to be reliable, safe and affordable for all.

By Guest Commentary • February 18, 2020

Commentary

How to ease California housing crisis in four easy steps, and four more that are a little harder

Dan Dunmoyer, California Building Industry Association: California legislators can take four easy steps to help ease the housing crisis, and four more difficult steps. They offer California a clear way forward. Let’s get to work building Housing for All California.

By Guest Commentary • February 18, 2020

Commentary

To provide quality care for infants and toddlers, California must pay teachers a worthy wage

Andrea Golloher, San Jose State University: California policymakers must strive to ensure that members of the early childhood workforce earn a worthy wage, have incentives to expand infant and toddler care, and receive the necessary support for quality improvement and training to meet the needs of each and every child, from the start.

By Guest Commentary • February 17, 2020

Commentary

California must face reality: Autism cases are increasing

Jill Escher, mother of a young man and teenage girl with nonverbal forms of autism: Though we hear little about autism data from our public health leaders or media, California’s autism rates continue to surge, with no plateau in sight. Schools can’t keep up with demand. Emergency rooms and police departments are reeling from increasingly frequent crisis cases. Families are desperate for support and solutions. California policymakers must focus on the issue.

By Guest Commentary • February 16, 2020

Commentary

Bloomberg’s plan for fire and forest protection

Ken Pimlott, former chief of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection: Executed well, Bloomberg’s fire and forestry proposal will reduce loss of life and property over the next four years, saving the U.S. economy billions of dollars each year.

By Guest Commentary • February 14, 2020