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

A classroom sits empty at the end of school at Monte Gardens Elementary in Concord, Calif., on Friday, March 13, 2020.

Commentary

What parents are saying about California’s coronavirus-related school closures

A survey of 1,200 California parents reveals a tale of two crises with school closures: The immediate challenge of keeping students safe, fed and housed; and then there’s the education equity crisis.

By Guest Commentary • April 24, 2020

Voters including Dave Ade of San Jose, right, fill out their ballots on Nov. 6, 2018, at The Salvation Army in San Jose. Photo by Dai Sugano, Bay Area News Group

Reader Reactions

Remember the benefits of California’s initiative process and the right for citizens to make laws directly

Californians on the left, center and right kvetch about initiatives, but they also value their state constitutional right to make law directly.

By Guest Commentary • April 24, 2020

Capitol

California farmworkers need protection during coronavirus crisis; here’s a relief package to help

The nation is counting on California farmworkers to keep them fed, and a farmworkers COVID-19 relief package introduced in the Legislature would help.

By Guest Commentary • April 23, 2020

Reader Reactions

Opportunities are plentiful to sustain California agriculture in the face of water supply uncertainties

There is no evidence supporting the claim that the San Joaquin Valley’s water supply challenges are linked to California’s food security or the rise of produce imports.

By Guest Commentary • April 23, 2020

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

Commentary

COVID-19’s very unequal toll

COVID-19's disparate effects are shown in the data of its death toll. New York's death rate is 25 times as high as California's.

By Dan Walters • April 23, 2020

Commentary

It’s time to take a hard look at tax reform for California’s future

We need to meet the financial challenges of the coronavirus pandemic while also sustaining government programs and services with ideas for tax reform.

By Guest Commentary • April 22, 2020

Commentary

Celebrating Earth Day and the power of conservation partnerships

Conservation and wildlife organizations are working with farmers, ranchers and other private landowners to improve the environment and protect imperiled species.

By Guest Commentary • April 22, 2020

Commentary

Newsom’s unwieldy economic task force

Gov. Gavin Newsom has appointed an 80-member task force to guide California's economic recovery. We should not have high expectations.

By Dan Walters • April 22, 2020

Commentary

We must stand together to stop hateful acts against Asian Americans during COVID-19 pandemic

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, we must prevail against discrimination and hateful attacks against the Asian American and Pacific Islander community.

By Guest Commentary • April 21, 2020

Commentary

Bold investments in clean energy and transportation infrastructure will help lead us out of a recession

Stimulus investments in cutting-edge energy and transportation infrastructure can help lead us out of a recession and build the foundation for a strong economy.

By Guest Commentary • April 21, 2020