Guest Commentary

Climate Change

My turn: Newsom must prepare for the worst. Here’s a roadmap

The historical record no longer brackets what we can expect in intensity or duration from drought, flood, or wildfire. So we cannot move quickly enough to cut emissions from our millions of tailpipes in California, and we must change state governance, funding, and planning as necessary—no matter how difficult—to get ready for the worst.

By Guest Commentary • December 6, 2018

Commentary

My turn: We must build strong children

A child’s earliest months and years are critical to her or his life trajectory. We know that 90 percent of a child’s brain develops before age 5. That’s why it’s so important to invest early in our children. First 5 L.A. and First 5 organizations across the state are eager to support our governor-elect in his efforts to build strong children. Like Gavin Newsom, we know we can and should do more to build strong children today.

By Guest Commentary • December 5, 2018

Climate Change

My turn: We shouldn’t have to pay for gas company’s lobbying

Southern California Gas Co.’s business model depends on selling natural gas. So while many California utilities have begun to plan for the state’s clean energy future, SoCalGas uses ratepayer money to help pay for its lobbying to undermine that future.

By Guest Commentary • December 4, 2018

Commentary

My turn: California must keep its promise to our public servants

The California Public Employees' Retirement System is building for the future and staying true to its mission of providing retirement security to public sector workers while respecting the taxpayers who benefit from their dedicated service. My hope is that everyone’s grandparents who depend on us will be able to retire in dignity.

By Guest Commentary • December 3, 2018

Commentary

Democrats won big in CA but face big challenges nationally

Ellen O. Tauscher: Democrats flipped seven congressional seats by organizing and talking directly to voters about issues that mattered most to them. Tom Epstein: Democrats cannot abandon the rest of the country. To win, they must directly engage with rural voters and focus on issues that matter to them.

By Guest Commentary • December 2, 2018

Climate Change

My turn: What Gov.-elect Gavin Newsom can be

Earthquakes, floods, mega-fires, a recession and other unforeseen events can disrupt the best-laid plans of any California governor. Potential disasters aside, Gov.-elect Gavin Newsom should hit the ground running. Here are five policy initiatives for him to consider:

By Guest Commentary • November 28, 2018

Commentary

My turn: How Newsom can use water management to confront climate change

Gov.-elect Gavin Newsom has the opportunity to chart his own course on climate change by addressing one of the state’s greatest challenges: the resilience of our water supplies. If Newsom can modernize the state’s water governance and provide clean drinking water to all, he would truly make his own mark in establishing California as a world leader by building resilience to climate change.

By Guest Commentary • November 27, 2018

Commentary

My turn: Harvey Milk’s message resonates, 40 years later

In the truest sense of the word, Harvey Milk was a populist and a fighter for disenfranchised people. He spoke of the "us-es”—the ethnic, religious and sexual minorities, immigrants, women, those who are differently-abled, seniors. He fought for all those who lacked a voice.

By Guest Commentary • November 26, 2018

Commentary

My turn: Why excluding convicted felons from juries is a bad idea

A citizen who bears the mark of a felony conviction poses no more of a threat to a jury than does any other citizen who has at some point lied, cheated, stolen, made a mistake, but has never been caught. And like those citizens, prospective jurors with a felony criminal history ought to be allowed to take part in jury selection, to help ensure that our juries reflect our citizenry.

By Guest Commentary • November 21, 2018

Commentary

My turn: L.A. teacher’s union can avert a strike and help kids. Here’s how

The Los Angeles Unified School District should stop subsidizing health insurance for retirees who are entitled to these federally funded insurances or subsidies. That money could be used to reduce class sizes, raise teachers' salaries, and hire more staff.

By Guest Commentary • November 20, 2018