California Voices

Alan Steinbrecher and Sean SeLegue, State Bar of California: Only 27% of low-income Californians received legal services when they needed them. People above the income threshold for legal aid barely fared better. In short, the vast majority of Californians who have a problem that could be resolved or mitigated with a legal solution instead struggle alone with their problems. The State Bar is working on solutions that could affect the legal profession.

Private colleges and universities educate many students who are parents. They should have equal access of CalGrants with student-parents at public universities and colleges.

Clare Coleman and Julie Rabinovitz, Essential Access Health: In California, home to the largest, most comprehensive Title X provider network in the nation, a broad range of agencies have withdrawn from program participation. These include federally qualified health centers, city and county health departments, Planned Parenthood affiliates, and women's health clinics. California could start facing some real barriers to access, including longer wait times, and cutbacks in outreach programs and health center hours.

Government regulation is supposed to protect the public but it also spawns political maneuvering by economic interests.

Steve Swatt and Susie Sawtt, authors: By late 1958, a handful of fed-up Beverly Hills moms–many with husbands in the entertainment industry–had had enough. Savvy in the ways of publicity, the women of SOS held colorful marches and publicity stunts to garner public attention and support. Often, they brought their children to events wearing gas masks. The group earned a reputation as a tenacious fighter for families fearful of dirty, unhealthful air.

The California Paradox is incredible economic prosperity amidst rising poverty and income disparity.

In California, 45% of children live in low-income households and 46% of those families are single-parent families. The idea that SB 328 will not harm any students ignores the real-world constraints under which working-class families and single parents operate.

More than a quarter of California homes are still without wireline broadband Internet, and, of these homes that do not subscribe, the majority are low-income, less educated, African American, or Latino. Comcast has a program to help bridge the digital divide.

California unions scored big wins in the Legislature this year, hoping to arrest declining union membership in the state.

Jerry Sanders and Alfredo Pedroza, San Diego Chamber of Commerce: Gov. Gavin Newsom can help improve that vital relationship by signing Senate Bill 558. It’s a bill that will grant official recognition to the importance of our close proximity and shared values, which have resulted in one of the strongest economic, cultural, and social regions in the world.