Commentary
California businesses bear brunt of growing unemployment benefit debt
California employers and taxpayers are paying off the state's growing debt from a $20 billion federal loan used to cover unemployment claims.
Spencer Pratt wants to be LA’s next mayor. His tell-all book won’t help him
In his memoir, Pratt describes himself as selfish, undisciplined and unprincipled. He deflects blame, squanders fortunes and complains a lot.
How the Supreme Court’s Voting Rights Act ruling could affect California’s gerrymandered districts
The High Court's decision guts the Voting Rights Act’s impetus to draw districts so non-white ethnic groups get congressional representation.
We can’t ‘restore’ American history by flagging Native American books
Pres. Donald Trump is pressuring Redwood National and State Parks to tag tribally-centered books and material critical of American history.
Billionaires aren’t going to flee California. Others will without a budget fix
The idea that billionaires will flee California over a proposed wealth tax is bunk. Still, the ballot initiative is only a Band-Aid, and impedes a more serious conversation about the state's deeper fiscal problems.
Yousef Baig
California Voices Editor
Denise Amos
California Voices Deputy Editor
Dan Walters
Columnist
Jim Newton
Contributor
Pedro Rios
Contributor
Robert Greene
Contributor
George B. Sánchez-Tello
Contributor
Commentary
California’s insurer of last resort was meant to cover ‘riot-prone areas,’ not climate disasters
By continuing to lean on insurance-based solutions to deep-seated societal problems, California has put itself on a path toward repeating the mistakes of the past.
Commentary
For many Californians, reducing homelessness comes down to the encampment next door
Statistics don't do much to convince people of the seriousness of homelessness or persuade them that it's getting better or worse. What matters is how it brushes up against them.
Commentary
California businesses, lawmakers turn up the heat in a battle over high workplace temperatures
Lawmakers again passed a bill giving workers compensation to employees harmed by heat on the job. Gov. Gavin Newsom vetoed a similar bill last year
Commentary
Cities that ban or criminalize homeless services worsen California’s crisis
A bill on the governor’s desk would stop cities from chasing away supportive services and workers who help unhoused people survive the streets.
Commentary
The clock is ticking for those hoping to be California’s next governor
The field of would-be governors remains unsettled. This week Toni Atkins, former president pro tem of the state Senate, joined those who've ended their campaigns.
Commentary
California leaders enable gaming monopoly, tribal inequity by legislating for the wealthy few
California's wealthiest tribes, preparing for digital gaming, are pushing a bill to effectively ban less wealthy tribes from offering online sweepstakes games.
Commentary
California’s most glaring issues have little to do with Trump
California has long struggled with homelessness, poverty, unemployment, high living costs, a housing shortage, and water and education issues.
Commentary
California needs to take a bolder stand for universities targeted by the White House
A federal lawsuit by the UC Regents would help fill gaps created by recent Supreme Court rulings. It would also provide legal and symbolic support to researchers who have been mostly fighting on their own.
CalMatters en Español
Por qué los votantes de California deben aprobar la Propuesta 50
Los caprichos inconstitucionales del presidente han pasado prácticamente desapercibidos, lo que ha hecho recaer la carga sobre los estados y la propia ciudadanía. California debe hacer todo lo posible para contrarrestarlos, argumenta un excomisionado de redistribución de distritos.