California Voices

Viewpoints from across California

A group of five people, dressed in professional attire, sit on chairs on a stage in front of a crowd, with a banner behind them reading “Governor Candidate Forum.” Four of the five people sitting on stage have their hands up to answer the question while a crowd of people watches in the dark.

No clear frontrunner for governor, but new poll names five with the best shot

A poll shows three Democrats and two Republicans have voter support percentages in the teens. The top two vote-getters in June will face off in November.

By Dan Walters

A person in medical protective clothing, wearing a face mask and a hair net, pushes a hospital gurney through a hallway inside a hospital, viewed from an open door.

She spent six of her last years in arbitration with her HMO. Her husband’s still fighting the system

Arbitrators in medical disputes are supposed to be unbiased, but this couple suspected there is an incentive to favor HMO’s in arbitration.

By Stephen Martinez

Two people face each other as they speak: the person on the left has a happy expression and her arm to her chest, while the person on the right wears a grey suit jacket and glasses. Both people are standing in a park area on a sunny day. In the background is a fence to a baseball field.

A former political ally tests LA liberals’ allegiance to Mayor Karen Bass

Mayor Karen Bass isn't vulnerable on her right, but she may be on her left, as City Councilmember Nithya Raman, a Democratic Socialist and ex-supporter, runs against her.

By Jim Newton

A close-up view of a person's hand holding a sign that reads "We wants answers! No more deaths!" and they stand at the front steps of a building surrounded by other people holding signs.

California promised accountability for inmate deaths in jails. A year later, no results.

Lawmakers passed a law creating a state department to review inmate deaths, but it hasn’t completed a single death review in its first year.

By David Myers

The backs of young female adults as they sit on tables while they eat lunch in a communal hall.

Commentary

California shouldn’t water down justice for these child sexual abuse survivors

LA County has pushed legislation that would set deadlines, limit damage and make it harder for sexually abused children in government care to sue.

By Chantel Johnson • April 13, 2026

The backs of young female adults sitting at the edge of cots as a person with a clipboard walks by.

Commentary

State should probe L.A. County’s $4 billion sex abuse settlement

LA County approved the deal without depositions or an independent review, resolving thousands of abuse claims in bulk. Employees couldn’t respond.

By Curtis Chambers and Regino Torres Jr. • April 13, 2026

A person leans down as they place their ballot into a white voting drop box on the side of a street.

Commentary

California voters will face dueling ballot propositions this fall. Confusion is likely

Many of today's ballot measures are aimed at canceling or retaliating for other ballot measures, like when politicians tried but failed to kill Prop. 13 years ago.

By Dan Walters • April 10, 2026

A medical personnel working on her computer in the corridor of Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital in Hollister on March 30, 2023. Photo by Larry Valenzuela, CalMatters/CatchLight Local

Commentary

California’s crisis in rural health care is also a chance for transparency

Drug discounts aimed at rural hospitals serving uninsured or low-income patients actually profit hospitals that don’t serve those patients.

By Julie Gill Shuffield • April 10, 2026

A healthcare worker in full protective gear, including a face shield and gloves, tends to a patient lying in a hospital bed. The room is dimly lit, with a bright monitor on a wheeled cart displaying a blue screen. Medical equipment, an IV stand, and personal items like cups and bottles are visible near the bed, while a curtain partially encloses the space.

Commentary

Bitter medicine: How California’s hospital bills end up depressing your take-home pay

Hospitals are suing a state agency that limits their cost increases. Their bills inflate health insurance premiums, leaving employers with less money for wages.

By Glenn Melnick • April 10, 2026

Traffic on Highway 50 in Sacramento on June 30, 2022. Photo by Miguel Gutierrez Jr., CalMatters

Commentary

As tax deadlines loom, Californians should note how little they get for paying high taxes

Several comparisons show Californians don't get enough return on investment — in government services — to justify such high taxes and fees.

By Dan Walters • April 9, 2026

A printed document titled “Governor’s Budget Summary 2026–27” is clipped together, showing a black-and-white image of the California State Capitol with the state flag flying in front.

Commentary

California should halt its boom-and-bust budgeting and boost reserves instead

A new governor would find their hands tied if the state doesn’t shrink its budget deficits and smooth out its tax revenue rollercoaster ride.

By Peter Weber and Chris Thornberg • April 9, 2026

People wearing white jumpsuits and yellow safety vests gather up debris from a home destroyed during a wildfire.

Commentary

Candidate comment: He lost his home in the Palisades fire. Now he’s running to ‘fix the broken system’

After the fires, homeowners were traumatized by insurers. Farren's philosophy: “The best response to hardship is to create change that protects others.”

By Merritt Farren • April 8, 2026

Several candidates raise their hands as they sit in chairs on a stage in front of a crowd. Behind the candidates is a banner that reads “Affordability and Rural California,” with decor of an American flag, a California flag, and potted plants.

Commentary

Candidates for governor are playing it safe. Gen Z voters can’t afford that.

Gen Z voters, especially Latino students, felt the effects of budget cuts and now question if candidates care about their economic mobility.

By Andrea Escobar and Joselen Contreras • April 8, 2026

Petroleum pump jacks are pictured in the Kern River oil field in Bakersfield. Photo by Jonathan Alcorn, Reuters

Commentary

Battles over business regulation resume in California’s Capitol with new legislation

Lawmakers discussed bills that allow lawsuits against business monopolies and businesses that affect climate change.

By Dan Walters • April 8, 2026