Commentary
California’s economy was already sluggish before Trump’s global tariffs
California's high unemployment rate and job losses in private industries predated President Trump's global trade crusade.
Dan Walters
Commentary
Wide school disparities persist 54 years after California’s landmark funding decision
Several decades of fighting over how to "equalize" education funding have landed California back where it started, with an inequitable, taxpayer-funded public education system that can't close achievement gaps.
Commentary
Other states do housing better than California; a new study shows how they do it
Terrible trio of a too small housing supply, too high living costs and too many homeless people plague California. A study says metro areas elsewhere are more pro-housing.
Commentary
The pressure on California’s already shaky budget keeps on growing
The current state budget is already billions of dollars in the hole. When Gov. Gavin Newsom reveals his revised proposal in a month, it's not likely to be a pretty picture.
Commentary
LA feud is a prime example of the constant clashes between California cities and counties
What happened last week in California’s most populous county and its largest city exemplifies the intergovernmental tensions that spill out into public view during debates over the state's top issues.
Commentary
Newsom touts career master plan as his governorship begins to wind down
Gavin Newsom's new plan to reform career education is a to-do list for his successor and more polishing of his resume should he run for president.
Commentary
As Democratic candidates for governor increase, they wait for Harris to decide
Democratic big-money donors wait to see if former Vice President Kamala Harris will run for governor, which could thin out a crowded primary contest in June.
Commentary
In California’s Capitol, some political fights span decades
The dynamics of California's Capitol haven't changed much in the last 50 years. In fact, many conflicts from 1975 can still be found in bills this year.
Commentary
If California bails out LA’s $1 billion budget deficit, beware the slippery slope
Los Angeles' leaders got plenty of warnings they've been overspending for years. Now they're using January's fires to seek a state bailout.
Commentary
The real crisis in California schools is low achievement, not cultural conflicts
As lawmakers debate whether transgender athletes can play sports, they're missing a more widespread education issue — low test scores, especially in reading.