Guest Commentary

William L. Rukeyser, political commentator: Recognizing the powerful effects of negative feelings, and recognizing that some elections are between two widely unpopular candidates, what can we do to harness those emotions and translate them into more public participation? The answer may be simpler than you think.

Vern Pierson, El Dorado County District Attorney: The media and many politicians appear to see each mass shooter as unique. They are not. Instead, these actors and their narrative should be viewed as pieces of a larger puzzle. Rather than staring at the individual piece trying to understand it, we need to examine its broader context for commonality with other attackers.

Chris Martin and Sharon Rapport, Housing California, and Corporation for Supportive Housing: Shelters are short-term responses, not the long-term solution to California’s homelessness crises. That’s why our policies and resources should focus on the right to housing, not a right to shelter.

Tim Edwards, Cal Fire Firefighters: Experts have recognized the benefits of microgrids, but regulatory roadblocks and resistance from investor-owned utilities have stymied their deployment. Gov. Newsom and the Legislature must seize their opportunity to establish California as an energy leader that can incorporate both sustainability and resiliency into its electrical power systems.

Jonah Busch, Earth Innovation Institute: Rather than merely brace for impact of climate change, Californians have the chance to act decisively to prevent the worst by embracing one of the biggest—and most overlooked—solutions: protecting tropical forests. Here's how.

Genevieve Abedon, Clean Seas Lobbying Coalition: We’re choking on plastic. California must take the lead in reducing its use, We in the Clean Seas Lobbying Coalition are asking Californians to contact their legislators to urge their support for legislation that would significantly reduce plastic waste.

Mike Madrid, former political director of the California Republican Party: In El Paso, Americans clearly saw what Latinos have been saying about what is happening to us in this country. Too many in the United States do not want our "kind" here. The silence from far too many is deafening.

John Kabateck, National Federation of Independent Business: The Legislature must fix the California Consumer Privacy Act. It riddled with unclear definitions, overly broad mandates, and small errors that will lead to unnecessary costs and confusion .

Debbie A. Mukama and Robert Weisberg, Stanford Law School: As our nation takes steps to cure its addiction to mass incarceration and at a time when we recognize the benefits of diverse workforces, we should welcome—not discourage—qualified individuals with criminal records to join the legal profession.

James C. Ramos, Democrat representing Assembly District 40: Gov. Gavin Newsom’s apology for California’s genocide against Native Americans reflects an understanding of the state’s true history. This apology should become a landmark moment in bringing resources, support, and justice to the 700,000 Native Americans who make the California their home.