Commentary: California Voices

In the Imperial County desert, a volunteer group routinely maintains large barrels filled with water to help migrants traversing the California desert. As rescues increase, the longstanding immigration policies that funneled migrants to such harsh terrain deserve scrutiny.

For more than a quarter-century, legislative bills on the California Chamber of Commerce's "job killer" list have mostly died, but it was a bit different this year.

After Congress did not extend a pandemic-era tax credit, California's poverty rate for children rose from 7.5% to nearly 17% in one year. The false narratives that describe people in poverty often don't reflect research or reality, and further harm them by stalling policy solutions.

Gov. Gavin Newsom appears to be following predecessor Jerry Brown's "canoe theory" of politics, paddling alternatively on the left and right with his vetoes and bill signings.

A bill that would extend unemployment benefits to workers on a strike exceeding two weeks is awaiting a signature from Gov. Gavin Newsom. A Hollywood writer argues that striking workers deserve benefits from a fund their labor helps support.

California's beleaguered Employment Development Department could be asked to dole out benefits to striking workers if Gov. Gavin Newsom signs a bill providing them the right. Critics say the EDD has enough problems to address before the next economic downturn.

The California Legislature adjourned this month without resolving the issue facing homeowners and their declining ability to acquire fire insurance. A move by the insurance commissioner to try and intervene seemed to double down on a major tradeoff.

As California's homelessness crisis continues, its politicians are carping over who should be held responsible for resolving it.

A string of decisions by cities in the Inland Empire signal that local officials are beginning to take a more critical eye to warehouse expansions in a region that's seen explosive growth over the last three decades. But without broader changes or action by state leaders, residents and activists remain skeptical.

A bill that would add caste to California’s fair employment and housing law and the education code is sitting on the governor's desk. Supporters are on a hunger strike, urging Gov. Gavin Newsom to sign the bill into law.