California Voices

Pedro Nava, the Little Hoover Commission: Gov. Gavin Newsom wants to overhaul California's mental health care system. The Little Hoover Commission has a plan for that.

California has been a laggard in tracing how students progress through its educational systems but Gov. Gavin Newsom is pushing for a new data system that would do that.

Amy Everitt, Golden State Opportunity: California provides a way to give low-income workers a hand, not a hand-out. They should take advantage of the earned income tax credit.

Chris Micheli, Aprea & Micheli, Inc: California’s legislature passed a far-reaching labor bill, Assembly Bill. It could turn you into collateral damage. And the Legislature ought to fix it.

Raphael J. Sonenshein, Pat Brown Institute at Cal State L.A.: Democratic presidential candidates should focus on the issue that matters to California voters: health care, specifically Medicaid. Republican strategists understand the danger of being on the wrong side of the Medicaid expansion.

Assembly Bill 5, which tightens up the legal definition of employee and codifies a state Supreme Court decision, is still highly controversial and the last word on its effects has yet to be spoken.

Robin Swanson, Democratic strategist: Unless the Democratic nominee and Democratic Party find a candidate who connects with voters on an emotional level and creates a brand that sticks, we’re looking at another four years of a president who has mastered the con like no other.

Toni Atkins, Senate president pro tem: Why should Californians vote for Pete Buttigieg in Tuesday's Democratic presidential primary? He’s the right Democrat to take on Donald Trump.

California officials want Californians to buy more zero-emission cars and use mass transit more to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but so far Californians are not cooperating.

Garry South, Democratic strategist: What will happen in California’s Democratic primary? Who knows. But certain things are known. But, again, who knows?