California Voices

Chuck Ingoglia, National Council for Behavioral Health: California is leading the nation in creating a health care model that recognizes mental wellness cannot be separated from physical health, a model every state in the nation must adopt. Integrating trauma-informed care into primary care will require a fundamental change in the established health care model.

Gov. Gavin Newsom says he wants a "California for All" that closes its economic gaps, but the reality is daunting and at the moment, the gaps are growing wider.

Marc Joffe, Reason Foundation: K-12 school districts and community college districts have placed bond measures on local ballots authorizing an additional $17 billion in borrowing. While not all the local bond measures are objectionable, voters should take a critical look at the bonds on their ballots. If the proposals lack specificity, result in overcapacity, or lead to excessive district debt, a “no” vote would be the judicious choice.

Which troubled institutions are too big to fail. Pacific Gas & Electric? Los Angeles Unified School District? City College of San Francisco?

Wendy Ridderbusch, CalDesal: Recognizing the need for a drought-proof water supply, efforts are underway to develop several seawater desalination facilities throughout California. We need to utilize all existing supply strategies including increased conservation, reuse, and both brackish water and seawater desalination into the mix.

The Legislative Analyst's Office ignores reality in its lukewarm report on a pilot program of allowing community colleges to offer baccalaureate degrees.

David Roland-Holst, UC Berkeley, and F. Noel Perry, Next10.org: Every step we can take to put more EVs on the roads offers potential benefits to all Californians. We can cut emissions, combat climate change, and clean up our air—but only if we’re prepared to save money and help create equitable access to clean cars in the process.

Mary Nichols, California Air Resources Board: I will not endorse a candidate in the presidential primary. Whatever you may think of his candidacy or his positions on issues across the full range of concerns a president needs to address, the reality is that Mike Bloomberg is the only candidate who has developed, advocated and implemented a successful program to cut greenhouse gases.

Pardons of felons by presidents and governors have a tortured history, and Gavin Newsom has an opportunity to add a chapter.

Eric Firpo, In Season Market and Nursery, Stockton: Cows belch. They overgraze. Grasslands die. Desertification spreads. Temperatures rise worldwide. Destruction of civilization inevitably follows. What’s much less understood is that exactly the opposite is true.