California Voices

Viewpoints from across California

Two people in suits sit on a studio set, one speaking with hands raised mid-gesture while the other turns toward them, listening.

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.

By Jim Newton

A side view of a row of voters sitting in front of voting machines separated by blue dividers. The photo focus on a voter who rest their right hand on their chin as they contemplate their voting selections.

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.

By Dan Walters

A visitor center sits at the base of steep granite cliffs, surrounded by tall trees. People walk up and down the steps, gather near the entrance, and rest on benches outside. A sign reading “Welcome Center” is mounted on the building, while an American flag stands nearby. The dramatic rock face rises behind the scene under a clear blue sky.

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.

By Kerri Malloy

A person wearing a white polo shirt and a headset microphone holds up a folded U.S. dollar bill while speaking on a stage, with a large pink-lit screen blurred in the background.

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.

By Yousef Baig

Commentary

Here’s how to build a caring economy for post-pandemic California

This tiny coronavirus prompts a big question about California's economy: Will business as usual buoy caregivers or simply protect the wealthy and America’s embrace of private gain?

By Guest Commentary • May 19, 2020

A patient at the Magnolia Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Riverside is evacuated to a waiting ambulance Wednesday morning April 8, 2020. Employees of the facility, with 39 confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus, did not show up to care for sick patients two days in a row, Riverside County officials said. Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG

Reader Reactions

Without testing, we have failed our nursing homes

Given that many cases of COVID-19 are found in nursing homes, why isn’t testing a priority in these facilities.

By Guest Commentary • May 19, 2020

Capitol

With millions out of work, California needs greater oversight of debt collectors

Given the power debt collectors have, Californians need a law to hold the industry accountable and punish the bad actors.

By Guest Commentary • May 18, 2020

Commentary

Keep momentum going to remove Klamath River dams and restore salmon runs

Yurok Tribe and other organizations in California and Oregon are fighting to remove four Klamath River dams and restore the salmon runs.

By Guest Commentary • May 18, 2020

Reader Reactions

Economic recovery prescription is typical discredited elitist policy agenda

These prescriptions for how California can "recover" from the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic guarantee further pain for workers.

By Guest Commentary • May 18, 2020

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