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

The sun sets behind rows of high tension power lines on a warm evening in Los Angeles.

Reader Reactions

California is drowning in hazardous forest waste with nowhere to put it

Biomass energy is not about cutting healthy forests or replacing solar and wind. California faces a dangerous accumulation of forest fuels with limited safe disposal options.

By Matt Dias • December 22, 2025

Grace Diaz, a caregiver, at the home of her client in Orange County on June 7, 2023. Photo by Lauren Justice for CalMatters

Commentary

California’s solution for senior health care hides in plain sight

PACE lets seniors stay out of nursing homes and still receive a variety of health and home services. Too few people know about it.

By Janice Grandi • December 19, 2025

A side view of a panel with nine speakers, including politicians and labor leaders, sit on stage during a “Unionize California” event, with one person standing and speaking into a microphone. A red, white, and blue light projection spells out "UNIONIZE CALIFORNIA" on the curtain behind them. The audience is seated at round tables in the foreground.

Commentary

California’s very odd election year starts with Republicans possibly leading the governor’s race

So many Democratic candidates are running — none with high poll numbers — that two Republicans could end up winning the primary.

By Dan Walters • December 19, 2025

Oil pumps around the Elk Hills Power Station along Elk Hills Road on March 29, 2024. The Elk Hills oil field is the site of the new carbon capture project that captures carbon emissions from oil and gas facilities and then injects them underground. Photo by Larry Valenzuela, CalMatters/CatchLight Local

Commentary

CalPERS’ $60 billion investment in ‘climate solutions’ lacks environmental standards, transparency

CalPERS won't say what climate companies it invests in. The pension also holds positions in fossil fuel, airlines, plastics manufacturing and technology.

By Allie Lindstrom and Jakob Evans • December 18, 2025

Commentary

Newsom’s $18 billion budget gap has roots in pandemic aid ending

During the pandemic, federal money flooded into state and local coffers. Once that funding ended, government spending didn't adjust downward.

By Dan Walters • December 18, 2025

Plastic waste in a recycling bin at a home in Sacramento on June 30, 2022. Photo by Miguel Gutierrez Jr., CalMatters

Commentary

As oil and gas companies pivot to plastic, California neighborhoods become sacrifice zones again

As oil and gas companies pivot to plastic, certain California neighborhoods become unhealthy sacrifice zones again.

By Veronica Herrera and Daniel Coffee • December 17, 2025

An aerial view of the framing of a two-story home under construction in a neighborhood that was burned down by a wildfire.

Commentary

Newsom relaxed his pro-housing stance for certain Democratic locales

Gov. Gavin Newsom is tougher on Republican-leaning communities that resist building housing than on similar regions run by affluent Democrats.

By Dan Walters • December 17, 2025

A view of a wooden pole with power lines on a clear blue sky. A lit up lamp outside a home can be seen in the foreground.

Commentary

Biomass is a money pit that won’t solve California’s energy or wildfire problems

Utilities customers help pay for biomass because electric utilities buy its products to produce electricity, paying four times more. Is it worth it?

By Shaye Wolf • December 16, 2025

The I-980 freeway in Oakland on Feb. 24, 2023. Photo by Martin do Nascimento, CalMatters

Commentary

California’s freeways are fueling its housing crisis

Caltrans construction forces families from homes and neighborhoods, though its efforts to widen freeways don’t seem to reduce traffic jams.

By Yesenia Perez and Hana Creger • December 16, 2025

The entrance to a large office building with a sign reading “University of California” above glass doors, as a person walks along the sidewalk in front of the building casting a long shadow.

Commentary

University of California’s $28 million system for pension payouts produced chaos and complaints

Like other California state officials, UC's managers failed to adopt its new information tech program, resulting in a lawsuit against the vendors.

By Dan Walters • December 16, 2025