Commentary
Audit backs school finance critics
A state auditor's report substantiates criticism of state's effort to close an "achievement gap" in California schools.
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
Sacramento’s latest reckless law will give lighter sentences to 10,000 repeat felons
Andrew Do, Orange County supervisor: Californians deserve a sensible justice system that protects victims and holds violent felons accountable. Instead, Sacramento sells us baloney about pizza thieves.
Commentary
How should PG&E be overhauled?
Gov. Gavin Newsom wants an overhaul of Pacific Gas and Electric Co., but what kind?
Commentary
Newsom must stand up to Trump assault on the Delta and California’s endangered species
Kim Delfino, Defenders of Wildlife: Gov. Newsom, the Trump Administration’s water plan is an extinction plan and does not reflect California's values. We expect you to defend the health of our Bay Delta ecosystem for the benefit of all Californians.
Commentary
To solve homelessness, Californians must treat certain crimes as cries for help
Mike Gatto, former assemblyman: A comprehensive solution to homelessness would address people who are homeless for reasons that diminish logical behavior, like addiction or mental illness. I won’t be drawn into a debate about what percentages of homeless people are so. But even if it is 40% or 30%, what are we doing to reach them? That is why I have proposed a ballot initiative that would treat certain existing crimes as opportunities to engage the homeless.
Commentary
Pension costs hitting home — hard
The financial woes of a small fire district in Stanislaus County demonstrate the effects of rapidly rising pension costs.
Commentary
Sitting in the dark for seven days, we respect Mother Nature but resent PG&E
Darby Patterson, writer in Pollock Pines: Sitting in the dark for seven days, we respect Mother Nature but resent PG&E for not keeping up with maintenance. Of the seven days, we had one day of big wind up in Pollock Pines. It was a day to be grateful PG&Es neglected power lines were not providing us service.
Commentary
Will spending more fix our schools?
A new report, timed to coincide with two tax increase proposals, contends that more money is needed to improve California's schools. But is it true?
Commentary
California must transform health insurance. Here’s how
Hector De La Torre and John Baackes, L.A. Cares: For L.A. Care, the largest publicly-operated health plan in the country, health insurance has to be more than a plastic card in our member’s wallet. As a plan serving nearly 2.2 million people, the vast majority of them Medi-Cal beneficiaries, we have taken numerous steps to address the various social factors that threaten member health. We are accountable and responsive to the communities we serve and, in recent years, that has meant moving beyond clinical care.
Commentary
A titanic battle over work looms
Ridershare and delivery services that rely on part-time drivers with their own vehicles are proposing a ballot measure to overturn a new law requiring those drivers to become payroll employees.