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

Commentary

Interrupted academic year, cuts in funding for California schools will severely impact our children

The cut in funding for public schools in California due to COVID-19 will cause irreparable harm to our children and our state.

By Guest Commentary • May 12, 2020

Reader Reactions

Why he moved from Texas back to California

About half of those who moved out to Texas moved back to California within a year

By Guest Commentary • May 12, 2020

Commentary

When California rebuilds its economy, Latinos must be included this time

Strengthening the Latino community for the long run must be a core part of efforts by Gov. Newsom’s business and jobs task force and those of the Legislature.

By Guest Commentary • May 11, 2020

The aftermath of an ocean surge in Imperial Beach, California, January 2019. Rising seas boost tides and imperil the city's coastline. Photo via Scripps Institution of Oceanography, UC San Diego

Reader Reactions

Impact of rising sea may come sooner than expected

Wish as they might otherwise, coastal communities are seeing severe impacts already, with imperiled water supplies, beach and cliff erosion.

By Guest Commentary • May 11, 2020

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

Dan Walters

Newsom shakes up disability politics

The Capitol's perennial jousting over workers' compensation has been jolted by Gov. Gavin Newsom's order extending eligibility for benefits to all workers deemed to be essential who are infected with coronavirus.

By Dan Walters • May 11, 2020

Commentary

Here is the next wave of online learning for higher education

As the world grapples with how to provide remote learning, now is the time to embrace new ways of reaching students.

By Guest Commentary • May 10, 2020

Capitol

California consumers need new protections

Gov. Newsom has proposed to overhaul the Department of Business Oversight and refocus the state’s approach to protecting consumers against deceptive financial offerings.

By Guest Commentary • May 10, 2020

Dan Walters

Could California really go it alone?

Gov. Gavin Newsom uses the term nation-state to describe California. Could it make it as a separate nation? And should it try?

By Dan Walters • May 10, 2020

Capitol

California’s high cost of employment will stifle recovery; here are 6 issues the state needs to deal with

Does California have the chutzpah to pass needed legislation to open the doors wide to recovery? Here are 6 issues the Legislature needs to deal with.

By Guest Commentary • May 9, 2020

California Wildfires

States’ insurer of last resort should not become the primary insurance market

California’s Insurance Commissioner wants to expand the state’s FAIR Plan by offering comprehensive homeowners coverage; this is a bad idea.

By Guest Commentary • May 9, 2020