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

A person in a suit stands on a stage pointing outward while speaking at a formal panel event. Several other panelists sit in chairs behind them. The backdrop features repeated signage for a business policy summit hosted by a statewide Hispanic chambers of commerce organization.

Commentary

With Eric Swalwell’s scandalous implosion, Xavier Becerra surges in race for California governor

Republicans Steve Hilton and Sheriff Chad Bianco still lead but Xavier Becerra shot up from 4% to 13%, topping all the Democrats.

By Dan Walters • April 20, 2026

Commentary

Voting rights are health rights. That’s why California must reject the SAVE Act

People of color, naturalized citizens, and low-income voters are less likely to have birth certificates, passports, or other ID that the SAVE Act would require.

By R. David Rebanal and Shaina Sta. Cruz. • April 20, 2026

Commentary

Mailed votes don’t cause California’s slow count. A glut of ballots does

Ending 2024 election week, California hadn’t yet counted 243,976 postmarked ballots — and 4.1 million ballots cast on or before Election Day.

By Eric McGhee and Mindy Romero • April 20, 2026

Line cook Leticia Andrade puts together a lunch order at Creative Ideas Catering in San Francisco on June 11, 2024. Gov. Gavin Newsom’s proposed budget would cut more than half of the funding of the state's Small Business Technical Assistance Program, which benefits small businesses like Creative Ideas Catering. Photo by Juliana Yamada for CalMatters

Commentary

Frozen lasagna dispute shows how arbitrary California tax law can be

Whether a food is deemed hot or cold determines if it's subject to CA sales tax. It's not as simple as it sounds, though.

By Dan Walters • April 17, 2026

A visitor center sits at the base of steep granite cliffs, surrounded by tall trees. People walk up and down the steps, gather near the entrance, and rest on benches outside. A sign reading “Welcome Center” is mounted on the building, while an American flag stands nearby. The dramatic rock face rises behind the scene under a clear blue sky.

Commentary

We can’t ‘restore’ American history by flagging Native American books

Pres. Donald Trump is pressuring Redwood National and State Parks to tag tribally-centered books and material critical of American history.

By Kerri Malloy • April 17, 2026

Several stickers with images of bananas, strawberries, apples and mushrooms with phrases like "I love you berry much" lay on top of a wooden table next to some CalFresh flyers.

Commentary

California college students struggle to afford to eat, sleep and graduate. It’s time lawmakers helped

CalFresh helps only a fourth of students who qualify for it because it’s too unwieldy to apply for and stay on. It’s like having another job.

By Lawrence Legaspi • April 17, 2026

A wide, open beach stretches into the distance under a clear blue sky. Low dunes line the left side, while waves roll in along the right. A faint, winding line of lighter sand curves through the darker shoreline, leading the eye toward the horizon. A few small figures stand far off in the distance, emphasizing the scale and emptiness of the landscape.

Commentary

California lawmakers must weigh long-term consequences before granting tribe a state park

Assemblymember James Ramos proposed giving Tolowa Dunes State Park, 4,300 coastal acres in Del Norte County, to the Tolowa Dee-ni Nation.

By Dan Walters • April 16, 2026

An aerial view shows a large modern hillside home with a flat roof and expansive terraces overlooking a canyon landscape. The property features a long infinity pool wrapping around the structure, lounge chairs arranged along the deck, and surrounding greenery with neighboring homes scattered across the hills in the distance.

Commentary

Taxing LA mansions likely hindered efforts to build affordable housing. Can it be fixed?

Though it raised more than $1 billion for affordable housing and rent relief, LA’s mansion tax depressed apartment construction. Is it worth it?

By Jim Newton • April 16, 2026

Students sit in rows in a classroom, each holding an acoustic guitar and resting one foot on a small wooden block to support their instrument. They appear focused, looking toward an unseen instructor, while an adult sits among them also holding a guitar. The room contains music equipment, including drums and keyboards, arranged along the back wall.

Commentary

California’s districts are cheating disadvantaged students out of music and arts education

Only 11% of schools spend what voters earmarked for arts on those classes. Music education is rare at many low income neighborhood schools.

By Michelle Castillo • April 16, 2026

Five people sit on chairs set-up on a stage as they overlook a wide room filled with attendees. The stage is illuminated with blue and green lights of different patterns.

Commentary

Candidates for California governor ought to get serious about these pressing issues

The top nine remaining candidates for CA governor should address the recent think tank articles on schools, jobs and housing issues.

By Dan Walters • April 15, 2026