Commentary
Interim housing could give thousands more homeless Californians shelter
Interim housing, such as modular homes, cost a fraction of permanent homes and can be built fast but aren't allowed in some state programs.
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 politicians ignore agriculture’s troubles, but boost movie business
California is still No. 1 in agriculture, generating $60 billion a year, but other industries have more clout. The state plans to double subsidies to films, which amount to half that.
Commentary
We overcame disabilities, addictions and trauma. Now we’re fighting to save our jobs
Sixty workers with disabilities and challenges may lose their cleaning jobs by month's end because the state wants prisoners to do the work.
Commentary
Cal Grant expansion can help Californians overcome the hurdles that deter most students
A modest increase in the Cal Grant program, coupled with eligibility changes that consider students taking a less traditional path, could make a big difference for California students often derailed by financial burdens.
Commentary
Californians should give their government more credit. Many states simply ignore their problems
An Arkansas native who relocated to California worries many citizens are internalizing the culture war disdain for the Golden State, and willing to tear down what makes California exceptional.
Commentary
California politicians agree on school money, but poor test scores need attention
The Legislature's and governor's budget proposals agree to spend $80 billion on schools. There've been few discussions about how to boost students' persistently low test scores.
Commentary
Bay Area transit systems want more money. But their payrolls soared as ridership declined
As Gov. Gavin Newsom and legislators negotiate a final version of the budget, their differences on transit financing will be a key issue.
Commentary
Critics of California’s immigrant embrace should hear the remarkable stories of my LA students
Many immigrant families stayed home on graduation day in Los Angeles this month as ICE raids ramped up. A teacher says anti-immigrant hardliners may feel different if they could see these families up close.
Commentary
Gavin Newsom finally admits he’s contemplating a run for president
President Donald Trump’s anti-immigrant drive is a political gift to Newsom, a springboard for him to fill a vacuum and claim leadership of the opposition to Trump.
Commentary
Too many California kids can’t read. Will phonics help?
At a minimum, schools should teach children to read. But for years California’s elementary schools have been failing many of them. The results are so obvious even those who struggle to read can see them: Nearly 6 in 10 third graders scored below grade level on California’s reading tests during most of the last decade. […]