California Voices

Eloy Ortiz Oakley, California Community Colleges chancellor: Our military veterans transitioning to colleges and universities face far too many challenges. This Veterans Day, when we honor the brave women and men who have served in our armed forces, all candidates seeking to become Commander in Chief should remember their duty to look after those who have looked after us. More must be done, not just in California, but for the 18.2 million military veterans nationwide.

The news on California's housing crisis is, as usual, both positive and negative.

Dean Drescher, policy director at EdVoice: Policy leaders have been loud and clear stressing patience and incremental improvement and cheerleading increased funding. But California’s children, the majority of whom live in poverty, cannot sit and wait at the bottom of the nation’s barrel. They deserve more than crickets.

A state auditor's report substantiates criticism of state's effort to close an "achievement gap" in California schools.

Andrew Do, Orange County supervisor: Californians deserve a sensible justice system that protects victims and holds violent felons accountable. Instead, Sacramento sells us baloney about pizza thieves.

Gov. Gavin Newsom wants an overhaul of Pacific Gas and Electric Co., but what kind?

Kim Delfino, Defenders of Wildlife: Gov. Newsom, the Trump Administration’s water plan is an extinction plan and does not reflect California's values. We expect you to defend the health of our Bay Delta ecosystem for the benefit of all Californians.

Mike Gatto, former assemblyman: A comprehensive solution to homelessness would address people who are homeless for reasons that diminish logical behavior, like addiction or mental illness. I won’t be drawn into a debate about what percentages of homeless people are so. But even if it is 40% or 30%, what are we doing to reach them? That is why I have proposed a ballot initiative that would treat certain existing crimes as opportunities to engage the homeless.

The financial woes of a small fire district in Stanislaus County demonstrate the effects of rapidly rising pension costs.

Darby Patterson, writer in Pollock Pines: Sitting in the dark for seven days, we respect Mother Nature but resent PG&E for not keeping up with maintenance. Of the seven days, we had one day of big wind up in Pollock Pines. It was a day to be grateful PG&Es neglected power lines were not providing us service.