Commentary
California’s crisis in rural health care is also a chance for transparency
Drug discounts aimed at rural hospitals serving uninsured or low-income patients actually profit hospitals that don’t serve those patients.
Newsom handpicked a generation of California politicians. Can they help him run for president?
An entire generation of California elected officials owe their current jobs and their political prospects to Gavin Newsom.
If California’s race for governor is a stress test for democracy, it’s failing
The top-two primary system can produce chaos and disengaged voters. This year’s picks for governor are coming from a small share of voters.
Pratt out, Raman in: What Los Angeles voters can now expect in the mayoral race
Nithya Raman's success at making the runoff in the L.A. mayor's race means Karen Bass will need to answer difficult questions about high living costs and public safety.
California treats homelessness spending as action. That’s not a measure of success
California understands the pathway into homelessness. What the state still lacks is a coordinated system designed to interrupt it before families lose housing.
Yousef Baig
California Voices Editor
Denise Amos
California Voices Deputy Editor
Dan Walters
Columnist
Jim Newton
Contributor
Pedro Rios
Contributor
Robert Greene
Contributor
George B. Sánchez-Tello
Contributor
Commentary
Bitter medicine: How California’s hospital bills end up depressing your take-home pay
Hospitals are suing a state agency that limits their cost increases. Their bills inflate health insurance premiums, leaving employers with less money for wages.
Commentary
As tax deadlines loom, Californians should note how little they get for paying high taxes
Several comparisons show Californians don't get enough return on investment — in government services — to justify such high taxes and fees.
Commentary
California should halt its boom-and-bust budgeting and boost reserves instead
A new governor would find their hands tied if the state doesn’t shrink its budget deficits and smooth out its tax revenue rollercoaster ride.
Commentary
Candidate comment: He lost his home in the Palisades fire. Now he’s running to ‘fix the broken system’
After the fires, homeowners were traumatized by insurers. Farren's philosophy: “The best response to hardship is to create change that protects others.”
Commentary
Candidates for governor are playing it safe. Gen Z voters can’t afford that.
Gen Z voters, especially Latino students, felt the effects of budget cuts and now question if candidates care about their economic mobility.
Commentary
Battles over business regulation resume in California’s Capitol with new legislation
Lawmakers discussed bills that allow lawsuits against business monopolies and businesses that affect climate change.
Commentary
Sheriff Chad Bianco’s ballot grab is a campaign stunt, not an investigation
Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, a Republican running for governor, seized 650,000 ballots cast in 2025, though his deputies aren’t trained vote fraud investigators.
Commentary
Trump endorsing Hilton may help keep California governorship in Democratic hands
If ex-TV commentator Steve Hilton pulls far ahead of Sheriff Chad Bianco, it cuts the chances for a 1-2 GOP outcome — likely the only way California can get a Republican governor.
Commentary
California shouldn’t price the public out of public records. Democracy is at stake
A bill letting governments charge for public documents would let them base the cost on the time it takes to review and redact the information. It doesn't limit them.