Commentary
Capitol grinds up major housing bill
A Senate bill to make housing more affordable by overcoming local resistance to high-density construction, dies, a victim of NIMBYism.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Yousef Baig
California Voices Editor
Denise Amos
California Voices Deputy Editor
Dan Walters
Columnist
Jim Newton
Contributor
Pedro Rios
Contributor
Robert Greene
Contributor
Commentary
California is right to focus on adverse childhood experiences. Other states should follow
Chuck Ingoglia, National Council for Behavioral Health: California is leading the nation in creating a health care model that recognizes mental wellness cannot be separated from physical health, a model every state in the nation must adopt. Integrating trauma-informed care into primary care will require a fundamental change in the established health care model.
Commentary
‘California for All’ vs. daunting reality
Gov. Gavin Newsom says he wants a "California for All" that closes its economic gaps, but the reality is daunting and at the moment, the gaps are growing wider.
Commentary
Local voters are being asked to approve $17 billion in school construction bonds. Much of it is unneeded
Marc Joffe, Reason Foundation: K-12 school districts and community college districts have placed bond measures on local ballots authorizing an additional $17 billion in borrowing. While not all the local bond measures are objectionable, voters should take a critical look at the bonds on their ballots. If the proposals lack specificity, result in overcapacity, or lead to excessive district debt, a “no” vote would be the judicious choice.
Commentary
Who is too big to fail?
Which troubled institutions are too big to fail. Pacific Gas & Electric? Los Angeles Unified School District? City College of San Francisco?
Commentary
Why desalination can help quench California’s water needs
Wendy Ridderbusch, CalDesal: Recognizing the need for a drought-proof water supply, efforts are underway to develop several seawater desalination facilities throughout California. We need to utilize all existing supply strategies including increased conservation, reuse, and both brackish water and seawater desalination into the mix.
Commentary
Community college report ignores reality
The Legislative Analyst's Office ignores reality in its lukewarm report on a pilot program of allowing community colleges to offer baccalaureate degrees.
Commentary
Why must California invest in electric vehicles? There are billions of reasons
David Roland-Holst, UC Berkeley, and F. Noel Perry, Next10.org: Every step we can take to put more EVs on the roads offers potential benefits to all Californians. We can cut emissions, combat climate change, and clean up our air—but only if we’re prepared to save money and help create equitable access to clean cars in the process.
Environment
Michael Bloomberg’s climate plan is not just campaign rhetoric
Mary Nichols, California Air Resources Board: I will not endorse a candidate in the presidential primary. Whatever you may think of his candidacy or his positions on issues across the full range of concerns a president needs to address, the reality is that Mike Bloomberg is the only candidate who has developed, advocated and implemented a successful program to cut greenhouse gases.
Commentary
The pardon power, for good or ill
Pardons of felons by presidents and governors have a tortured history, and Gavin Newsom has an opportunity to add a chapter.