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

Reader Reactions

Yes, we need a ‘Grand Bargain’ over Delta water – and everyone’s best ideas

If the bargain over water from the Delta is to be truly “Grand,” let’s get everyone’s best ideas, not just the powerful water interests.

By Guest Commentary • August 28, 2020

Reader Reactions

Solar and storage should be state’s clean energy focus

California's clean energy hopes rest squarely on expanded use of solar energy and battery storage.

By Guest Commentary • August 28, 2020

Commentary

Mayors’ reasons for supporting Prop. 15 don’t hold up

The justifications that only the biggest corporations will pay the tax and the implication that small businesses are protected are easily refuted.

By Guest Commentary • August 27, 2020

Capitol

Legislation would expand protections for survivors of domestic violence

SB 1141 allows survivors to describe abuser’s coercive control as supporting evidence in family court hearings and criminal trials.

By Guest Commentary • August 27, 2020

Commentary

Ban on hunting trophies risks funding for healthy African ecosystems

The ability of African nations to conserve ecosystems would be undermined by a bill that would ban Californians from hunting and possessing hunting trophies.

By Guest Commentary • August 27, 2020

Capitol

Students succeed with support, not threats from probation officers

I wasn’t on probation and hadn’t been charged with a crime, but the probation officer made me feel like a “bad kid.” Gov. Newsom can change that.

By Guest Commentary • August 27, 2020

California Capitol, home of the Assembly and Senate. Photo by Anne Wernikoff for CalMatters

Dan Walters

Semi-secret ‘trailer bills’ pop up

The California Legislature's budget "trailer bills" have morphed into vehicles to make major policy decrees outside of the usual legislative process.

By Dan Walters • August 27, 2020

Capitol

A chance to fix poor ventilation in classrooms, protect children and teachers, and create jobs

Fixing poor ventilation in classrooms may slow the spread of COVID-19 when children and teachers return, and create new job opportunities.

By Guest Commentary • August 26, 2020

Commentary

Legislature needs an emergency hearing on vaccines – for COVID-19 and the flu

It’s critical that we encourage the early adoption of any successfully developed COVID-19 vaccine and promote the widespread use of the flu vaccine.

By Guest Commentary • August 26, 2020

Capitol

Ban on flavored tobacco – a half-hearted approach to protect youth – will hurt convenience store owners

There’s no doubt we need to address the rise in youth vaping, but ban on flavored tobacco will impact small businesses.

By Guest Commentary • August 26, 2020