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

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

Dan Walters

COVID-19 clobbers weak transit systems

California transit systems were struggling even before COVID-19, with stagnant ridership and soaring costs. Now they are seeking a huge bailout, saying they face an existential crisis.

By Dan Walters • July 22, 2020

Commentary

Newsom may have erred on re-opening amid pandemic, but he has embraced accountability

A funny thing happened on California’s path to re-opening during the pandemic. We had about 100 miles ahead of us, and then Gov. Newsom told us it was safe to take a short-cut.

By Guest Commentary • July 21, 2020

Commentary

Here are four priorities for state’s new strategic plan for suicide prevention

California has launched a comprehensive suicide prevention campaign to ensure people receive the support they need before reaching a crisis point.

By Guest Commentary • July 21, 2020

Commentary

A focus on injustice, inequity in public education must drive California’s budget priorities

In budget negotiations, legislators should keep in mind that students need equal access to Advanced Placement classes, sports, theater and STEM classes.

By Guest Commentary • July 20, 2020

Dan Walters

California tests at-home schooling

California is conducting an accidental, but vast, experiment in whether at-home, on-line education works for K-12 students, especially high-needs, low-achieving kids.

By Dan Walters • July 20, 2020

California Wildfires

California’s looming wildfire threat requires a cleaner, more resilient electrical grid

California’s electrical grid is getting cleaner, but it is still not well positioned to deal with a changing climate with its web of decades-old poles and wires.

By Guest Commentary • July 19, 2020

Dan Walters

High living costs make people poor

California's high poverty rate stems mostly from its high cost of living and blue state policies impose extra living costs on the poor.

By Dan Walters • July 19, 2020

Commentary

Can declining commercial real estate demand help address California’s housing crisis?

A decline in commercial real estate demand could represent an opportunity to reallocate portions toward more affordable housing in California.

By Guest Commentary • July 18, 2020

Commentary

California needs leadership on nuclear waste

Gov. Gavin Newsom and leaders from the Legislature must demand action on nuclear waste and fill gaps in oversight.

By Guest Commentary • July 17, 2020

Commentary

We need meaningful discussions about the treatment of Native Americans in California

We can’t erase history, but we can correct omissions in school books about atrocities and genocide committed against Native Americans in California.

By Guest Commentary • July 16, 2020