Dan Walters
State budget ‘balanced’ with massive new debt
Gov. Gavin Newsom says the new California state budget is balanced, but in reality it has a huge deficit that will be covered by indirect borrowing.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Yousef Baig
California Voices Editor
Denise Amos
California Voices Deputy Editor
Dan Walters
Columnist
Jim Newton
Contributor
Pedro Rios
Contributor
Robert Greene
Contributor
Commentary
Recognize the progress of high speed rail
Someday California’s high-speed rail system will be regarded like the Golden Gate Bridge, as an icon, and BART, which has helped reduce Bay Area traffic.
Reader Reactions
Electoral College levels the playing field for small states
Re “Supreme Court rules members of the Electoral College must be faithful – how that affects California”; Commentary, July 7, 2020 Jessica Levinson points out many of the attributes and results that can come from the makeup of the Electoral College. It does indeed penalize big states to a degree when it comes to the […]
Commentary
‘Guaranteed income’ would help close California’s racial wealth gap
A coalition of mayors are advocating for a guaranteed income that would improve the livelihood of many California children and families.
Dan Walters
Will California’s schools reopen their doors?
Will California's public schools, with 6 million students, reopen after shutting down due to the COVID-19 pandemic? Or will stay-at-home classes continue?
Commentary
Affordability must be a priority as California charts a course for economic recovery
As California recovers from the economic downturn, officials should be careful to avoid making the cost-of-living and affordability problem worse for residents.
Dan Walters
Imperial County, the COVID-19 epicenter
California's COVID-19 epicenter is Imperial County, an impoverished agricultual oasis with an unusual history.
Commentary
In uncertain times, the mission of California’s pension funds is vital
Having learned a hard lesson from the 2008 financial crisis, CalPERS has taken steps over the last couple of years to prepare for another downturn.
Commentary
Let our international students study in peace; reverse the decision by ICE
Our international students have paid tuition, signed housing leases and registered for classes; and now they have to get on the next plane home.
Reader Reactions
Sharing story of depression and anxiety helps many people
Mental illness has long been cloaked in shame and fear, but in the past several years, mental health education has helped enlighten the public.