California Voices

Andrea Golloher, San Jose State University: California policymakers must strive to ensure that members of the early childhood workforce earn a worthy wage, have incentives to expand infant and toddler care, and receive the necessary support for quality improvement and training to meet the needs of each and every child, from the start.

In his second budget, Gov. Gavin Newsom is spending more and saving less - an approach that the Legislature's budget expert says could leave the state less able to stave off a recession's impacts.

Jill Escher, mother of a young man and teenage girl with nonverbal forms of autism: Though we hear little about autism data from our public health leaders or media, California’s autism rates continue to surge, with no plateau in sight. Schools can’t keep up with demand. Emergency rooms and police departments are reeling from increasingly frequent crisis cases. Families are desperate for support and solutions. California policymakers must focus on the issue.

Does moving California's presidential primary election to March make the state more relevant? Not so far.

Ken Pimlott, former chief of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection: Executed well, Bloomberg’s fire and forestry proposal will reduce loss of life and property over the next four years, saving the U.S. economy billions of dollars each year.

Assemblyman Kevin Kiley, Rocklin Republican: For decades, Pacific Gas and Electric has methodically executed what the New York Times called its “political playbook”: giving millions and getting its way. As PG&E seeks to exit bankruptcy again, the Legislature and Gov. Newsom must act to loosen its grip on the Capitol by banning it from giving campaign donations.

Loren Kaye, California Foundation for Commerce and Education: If you’re looking for a job or a healthy lifestyle, California remains a dream come true. But there’s a problem. Many Californians can no longer afford California. Here’s what legislators can do to reduce the cost of living.

What used to be called vocational education is making a comeback as education officials recognize the needs of students and the larger society.

Jen Flory, Western Center on Law & Poverty: California doesn’t have the beds or community services that would be required if we start arresting everyone who police deem mentally unwell. The state can’t arrest its way out of the housing crisis. Proposals to do so don’t address the underlying problem, which is that people can’t afford housing, whether they are living with a mental health issue or not.

Although Gavin Newsom promised to jump-start housing construction in California, his first year as governor saw production decline.