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

Capitol

California needs to make critical investments now in emergency preparedness for the next time

The California Legislature should reintroduce legislation to reinvest in the mobile field hospital program and emergency preparedness.

By Guest Commentary • May 6, 2020

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

Dan Walters

GOP lawmaker fights for accountability

Republican Assemblyman Jay Obernlte is a dogged champion for accountability and transparency in local tax and bond measures and is trying for win No. 2.

By Dan Walters • May 6, 2020

Capitol

A hasty hearing on a constitutional amendment that would overturn Prop. 209

Assembly Constitutional Amendment 5 is misguided in that it proposes instant but wrong solutions to persistent social ills.

By Guest Commentary • May 5, 2020

A glue stick next to ’I voted’ stickers at San Francisco City Hall on Super Tuesday 2020. Photo by Anne Wernikoff for CalMatters

Commentary

Here’s a voting system that would have counted all of California’s Super Tuesday votes

If California had used ranked-choice voting on Super Tuesday, the votes would have been counted a lot sooner and we would have a different winner.

By Guest Commentary • May 5, 2020

Commentary

Providing legal immunity for health care providers could be dangerous

Health care lobbying organizations are seeking an executive order in California granting broad immunity due to the COVID-19 pandemic -- and that could be dangerous.

By Guest Commentary • May 5, 2020

Commentary

OK, Boomer – here are 10 truths from a coronavirus quarantined Boomer

Heading into the second month of staying home to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, here's how I’m coping and what I’m learning.

By Guest Commentary • May 4, 2020

Commentary

California public transit services face existential crisis with COVID-19 pandemic

Public transit in California may be hit with a “double whammy” that could result in catastrophic revenue losses threatening the viability and availability of services.

By Guest Commentary • May 4, 2020

Commentary

Newsom undermines his own credibility

Gov. Gavin Newsom must maintain credibility to succeed as the state's coronavirus czar, but he's his own worst enemy in that regard.

By Dan Walters • May 4, 2020

Commentary

Latinas are more vulnerable to economic insecurity because of COVID-19

Latinas are at the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic, and California must do more to map out what recovery for Latinos could look like.

By Guest Commentary • May 3, 2020

Commentary

State budget will take a very big hit

California's budget will take a big hit from the pandemic-induced recession, but the size of the impact is still up in the air.

By Dan Walters • May 3, 2020