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

Don’t let budget cuts sidetrack Newsom’s ‘Master Plan on Aging’

It would be horrific if our state budget cut back on the critical health and human service programs already in place for seniors and people with disabilities.

By Guest Commentary • June 22, 2020

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

Commentary

LA County’s ‘corridor of corruption’

Southeastern Los Angeles County is a "corridor of corruption," in the words of Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon. The Legislaure is finally doing something about one example.

By Dan Walters • June 22, 2020

Commentary

How quickly we forget: Of fathers and essential workers

As the economy reopens and we seek some semblance of normalcy, we must not forget the essential workers we once ignored, like my father, a long-haul trucker.

By Guest Commentary • June 21, 2020

Commentary

CalPERS gambles on risky investment move

Facing a vicious circle of conflicting demands and priorities, the California Public Employees Retirement System is turning to debt - a risky scheme to borrow billions of dollars in hopes of juicing its investment returns.

By Dan Walters • June 21, 2020

A portion of the California Aqueduct. Photo by iofoto, istock.com

Commentary

A social justice perspective of the Delta tunnel project

Opponents of the Delta tunnel project never say their position will lead to higher food prices and can even lead to class-based disparities in health outcomes.

By Guest Commentary • June 20, 2020

Commentary

Referendum on SB 10: Vote ‘No’ to an injustice we can’t afford

A constitutional amendment on the November ballot is a referendum on 2018’s Senate Bill 10, which replaces cash bail with risk assessments for detained suspects.

By Guest Commentary • June 19, 2020

Commentary

California can lead the world to a more sustainable agriculture industry

Our chemically-dependent approach to agriculture is at the core of many problems such as climate change and the loss of biodiversity.

By Guest Commentary • June 19, 2020

Commentary

Supreme Court decision is welcome news for DACA recipients but program remains vulnerable

The Supreme Court upholds the DACA program; however, the Trump administration could still end the program if it provides sufficient legal justification.

By Guest Commentary • June 18, 2020

Commentary

Provide a path forward for Dreamers; they deserve it

No matter what the U.S. Supreme Court rules on DACA, Congress can act on the will of the American people to give citizenship to every Dreamer.

By Guest Commentary • June 18, 2020

Commentary

Here are systemic actions CSU plans in promoting social justice and addressing racial injustices

With these actions, CSU graduates in every major will be equipped to see, question and dismantle the racial and social injustices that stain our nation.

By Guest Commentary • June 18, 2020