California Voices

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?

Ace Smith, Democratic campaign strategist: If you’re planning on voting for a Democratic candidate for president whom you love, skip this piece. But if like many Californians you’re looking to vote for someone you like in the March 3 primary, and you want your vote to count, read on.

Laura W. Brill, The Civics Center: People who care about democracy want to know whether young people will turn out to vote in November 2020. More than 3.5 million students graduate from high school every year. Those who register can be expected to turnout at rates above 75% in the November election. Whether or not they register depends, first and foremost, on whether we ask.