California Voices

As the emergency declaration for COVID-19 expired, local public health officials are criticizing Gov. Gavin Newsom's proposed budget cuts to a workforce program attempting to rebuild a system weakened by years of disinvestment.

California's bullet train project is still lacking enough money to complete its initial segment in the San Joaquin Valley, much less financing for a statewide system.

The responsibility of keeping California's food system functioning falls heaviest on the backs of Latino workers, who are most frequently plagued by water contamination and scarcity. Given the trust local leaders have with their constituents, especially in Latino communities, education on water solutions is vital to ensure that vulnerable residents are protected.

The California Environmental Quality Act has been weaponized in conflicts over housing for years, and a new appellate court decision affecting UC Berkeley has once again revived talk about reforming the landmark law. But how far are Newsom and the Legislature willing to go?

A December report concluded that California can solve homelessness through investments of $8.1 billion in housing, shelter and supportive services every year for the next 12 years. The price tag is high, but advocates argue that the status quo will be more expensive.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom accuses the oil industry of price gouging on gasoline prices and wants to impose penalties on excess profits. But he didn't fare well in the first hearing for the proposal.

A political and legal war between California's state officials and cities unhappy with their housing quotas is heating up, but one very exclusive community won't be bothered.

From affluent Riverside neighborhoods to disadvantaged communities in San Bernardino, the proliferation of warehouses across the Inland Empire is affecting everyone who calls this region home. Yet despite the increased pollution and risk of displacement near proposed sites, residents are struggling to be heard by their elected representatives.

The political debate over California's highest-in-the-nation homelessness has boiled down to money with Gov. Gavin Newsom and local officials at odds.

A 2022 study revealed that child care workers in California are paid just 25-30% of the cost of providing care. The inadequate pay has racist roots, and workers in this crucial industry are demanding action from state leaders.