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

Commentary

Business targets COVID-19 bills as ‘job killers’

The California Chamber of Commerce annually designates bills unfriendly to business as "job killers" and has been remarkably successful in defeating them. There are 10 bills on its new list, most related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

By Dan Walters • May 18, 2020

Commentary

How to address mental health issues of youth in fallout from COVID-19

With schools closed, there’s the real possibility of a significant rise in stress-related mental health challenges among young people and parents.

By Guest Commentary • May 17, 2020

Capitol

Rethinking work and life in lessons learned from COVID-19

We need to plan for a virtual future, where tele-health, tele-education, and more are equally available to anyone anywhere in California.

By Guest Commentary • May 17, 2020

Commentary

State has a budget problem — but how big?

California has a big, recession-caused budget problem, but its true dimensions are open to debate.

By Dan Walters • May 17, 2020

Commentary

With recycling on pause, it’s a good time to update California’s bottle bill

California should use this time to upgrade the redemption process for bottles and cans, and improve this important and popular collection system for recycling.

By Guest Commentary • May 16, 2020

Capitol

What California needs to move forward economically – it doesn’t start with austerity

Drastic austerity measures could endanger the public health response to COVID-19 and increase the intensity of the economic downturn.

By Guest Commentary • May 16, 2020

Commentary

Reopen schools when it’s safe for students, not for the convenience of adults

The decision to reopen schools must be based on what makes sense for students academically and from a health perspective.

By Guest Commentary • May 15, 2020

Park goers enjoy the sunshine while maintaining social distance a Dolores Park in San Francisco on March 20, 2020. On Thursday, Gov. Gavin Newsom ordered all of California to shelter in place and avoid leaving home except for essential needs. Photo by Anne Wernikoff for CalMatter

Commentary

Importance of parks and outdoor access for all amplified with COVID-19 pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted inequalities across California for one-third of the residents who don’t have access to safe outdoor places.

By Guest Commentary • May 15, 2020

Capitol

Here’s a cure for California’s growing fiscal disaster

There is a better approach to dealing with California’s fiscal problems from COVID19: It’s a temporary fix to a temporary problem.

By Guest Commentary • May 14, 2020

An empty parking lot in front of TJ Maxx at The Veranda shopping center in Concord on March 19, 2020. One third of the centers businesses have been forced to close temporarily due to the shelter in place order in Contra Costa and surrounding counties. Photo by Anne Wernikoff for CalMatters

Capitol

Here are 6 things the Legislature can do to help California recover from economic devastation

California’s private sector cannot be the safety net for the COVID-19 crisis, that is the role of government, which can alleviate financial pressures on businesses.

By Guest Commentary • May 14, 2020