Commentary
Newsom now owns the wildfire and PG&E crisis
Gov. Gavin Newsom has claimed ownership of the wildfire/Pacific Gas and Electric crisis, but now must deliver.
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
Why are Californians sitting in the dark? Ask the Democrats who are in charge
Sen. Jeff Stone, Riverside County Republican: Thanks to the liberal policies embraced by the governor and the Democratic majority, California has gasoline that is averaging $4.20 a gallon compared to the national average of $2.65, 2 million people had their power cut for days, and we are just one dry winter away from suffering through another man-made drought.
Commentary
Lawmakers must do more to fund mental health care at the University of California. Here’s how to get the money
Emily Estus, UC Berkeley’s Goldman School of Public Policy and School of Public Health: To really improve services and get students the help they need, we need to break the cycle of perpetually underfunding student health and counseling by changing how we think about providing and funding care.
Dan Walters
Slanting ballot measure titles
Attorneys general slant official summaries of ballot measures to affect what happens at the polls.
Commentary
When a $5 co-pay meant a week’s work
Juan Haines, San Quentin News: I’ve had my new set of teeth for about five months. Today, my friends compliment me on my smile. I put on a little weight and my health is much improved. And I appreciate that the governor and the Legislature have ended the $5 co-pay.
Commentary
Are the wealthy fleeing California taxes?
As California increases its income tax bite on the wealthy, some are tempted to flee, but how many do is debatable.
Commentary
What didn’t get discussed when PG&E turned out the lights, and what must change
Mary Creasman, California League of Conservation Voters: We’re missing the bigger picture about the climate crisis. The PG&E power shut off is a story about the climate crisis and corporate greed. It is a story about how California is unprepared for the massive change we need to make in order to cope with what’s happening.
Commentary
Why are our gas costs so high?
Californians pay high gasoline prices, but there's a "mystery surcharge" that Gov. Gavin Newsom wants investigated.
Commentary
School suspensions don’t work. California is right to restrict them
Christina Kim, Educators for Excellence-Los Angeles: Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed into law legislation by Sen. Nancy Skinner, Berkeley Democrat, to end suspensions for “willful defiance” for 4th through 8th-graders. This new law represents a big moment for California. We know that suspensions for willful defiance and disruption are too often used to push students, particularly students of color, out of school.
Commentary
Newsom fumbles on transportation
Gov. Gavin Newsom seems to have a problem dealing with the politics of transportation.