Guest Commentary

Commentary

California’s unemployment insurance system is so poorly funded it pays 2004 wages

There are plenty of examples California can emulate to fix its unemployment insurance system. The governor and Legislature just need to summon the courage to do it.

By Thomas Rankin • November 7, 2023

Commentary

California needs to change its homelessness policies, not spend more money

Despite spending by Democrat lawmakers, California's homeless population kept growing over the last five years. The current approach of throwing money at the problem is clearly not working.

By Brian Jones • November 6, 2023

Commentary

Shifting how California funds its mental health system is critical to getting more people off the streets

To reach tens of thousands of people living in tent encampments, California must prioritize and focus the billions generated through the Mental Health Services Act. Proposition 1, going before voters in March, is a major step towards the original law's promise.

By Darrell Steinberg • November 6, 2023

Commentary

Housing alone won’t solve homelessness. California must expand its mental health system

California can't solve homelessness without vastly improving the public mental health system. Without treatment and interventions, those with a serious mental illness deteriorate and lose housing.

By Patricia Fontana • November 6, 2023

Commentary

How Houston curbed homelessness and what California can learn from it

The conditions surrounding homelessness in Texas and California are different, but Houston's success offers lessons. The first step requires setting aside individual priorities and committing to collective impact.

By Sara Martinez • November 6, 2023

Commentary

Once homeless, California makes it needlessly difficult for people to regain housing

It's incredibly difficult for someone experiencing homelessness to regain housing in California. With consistent funding, equal distribution and stronger rental protections, it would be easier to keep people housed.

By Zella Knight • November 6, 2023

Commentary

It will take big solutions to overcome decades of bad homelessness policies

Decades of bad policy means it will take bigger, more expensive solutions to deliver the results on homelessness that struggling community members need and the public demands.

By Tomiquia Moss • November 6, 2023

Commentary

California’s organic waste law isn’t perfect, but pressing pause is the wrong move

The Little Hoover Commission recommended pausing California's landmark law aimed at reducing organic waste in landfills. Senate Bill 1383 could use an update, but given the importance of reducing methane emissions, pressing pause would be a mistake.

By Chris Thomas • November 1, 2023

Commentary

California took a major step to boost privacy laws and crackdown on data brokers

California is continuing to lead on privacy protections. This year, lawmakers passed legislation that will allow people to prevent data brokers from selling their information with a single click.

By Matt Schwartz • October 27, 2023

Commentary

Why California’s newest batch of gun restrictions won’t make the state safer

California passed a series of gun restrictions this year, including an excise tax on firearm and ammunition purchases. While the revenue is supposed to fund gun violence prevention, the state's lackluster history with prevention programs suggests little will actually change.

By Guest Commentary • October 25, 2023