Commentary

A group of five people, dressed in professional attire, sit on chairs on a stage in front of a crowd, with a banner behind them reading “Governor Candidate Forum.” Four of the five people sitting on stage have their hands up to answer the question while a crowd of people watches in the dark.

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.

By Dan Walters

A person in medical protective clothing, wearing a face mask and a hair net, pushes a hospital gurney through a hallway inside a hospital, viewed from an open door.

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.

By Stephen Martinez

Two people face each other as they speak: the person on the left has a happy expression and her arm to her chest, while the person on the right wears a grey suit jacket and glasses. Both people are standing in a park area on a sunny day. In the background is a fence to a baseball field.

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.

By Jim Newton

A close-up view of a person's hand holding a sign that reads "We wants answers! No more deaths!" and they stand at the front steps of a building surrounded by other people holding signs.

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.

By David Myers

The exterior white building wall with the words “The State Bar Of California” underneath an agency’s seal. Under the seal and sign is the top of a bush poking into the frame.

Commentary

State Bar’s botched exam for new lawyers is California’s latest entry to the hall of shame

Many of the state government's wrongheaded actions involve mishaps using advanced technology or systems. What happened this year with the State Bar is the latest entrant to a list of managerial failures.

By Dan Walters • May 7, 2025

A person with long blonde hair and wearing a black blazer with a white shirt looks to their right as they sit in front of a wooden desk surrounded by other people.

Commentary

Clash over teen sex solicitation reveals the rift within the California Democratic Party

The image that emerges after a recent dustup over a bill seeking to increase penalties for sex solicitation is one of a Democratic Party at war with itself as the governor tries to distance himself from his party’s leftish tendencies.

By Dan Walters • May 6, 2025

A actor, wearing a reflective grey hoodie and a face mask, sits on a motorcycle surrounded by other actors and a film crew with cameras.

Commentary

No one should have to leave California for a career in the entertainment industry

Other cities and countries in North America have lured away thousands of film and television production jobs over the years, but California can take steps to preserve the industry.

By Ed Lammi • May 5, 2025

A view of San Francisco on July 12, 2023. Photo by Semantha Norris, CalMatters

Commentary

California’s homebuyer lotto was hardly a ‘Dream for All’. That doesn’t mean it should end

California needs to expand its down payment loan program to keep young families from moving out of the state. Yet there's no new money budgeted.

By Denise Amos • May 2, 2025

Traffic moves along the 110 Freeway in Los Angeles on Nov. 22, 2022. Photo by Jae C. Hong, AP Photo

Commentary

Newsom jabs at Trump and Musk, but will AI make California more efficient?

Gov. Gavin Newsom contrasted federal efficiency cuts with his use of AI to improve state government. But California's record of using technology has been poor.

By Dan Walters • May 2, 2025

Two people in hats and windbreakers use two brooms and a dustpan to sweep up trash on a messy street next to a sidewalk with a fence around it. Next to the workers is a trash can and a park across the street from where they are sweeping.

Commentary

‘We’re here every day’: Inside the painstaking effort to heal LA’s troubled MacArthur Park

As many as 10 nonprofit organizations are working to resuscitate MacArthur Park in Los Angeles, cleaning streets, treating drug overdoses and calming gang tensions, among other things.

By Jim Newton • May 1, 2025

Commentary

Lawmakers might undermine California’s landmark public pension reform

A bill that would usher in a major change in pension law could cost local governments billions. Yet it is sailing through the Legislature without any opposition.

By Dan Walters • May 1, 2025

A person in sunglasses and a red shirt holds up a sign that reads, “Immigrant Rights are Human Rights!,” while standing in a crowd holding more signs.

Commentary

How we discuss and enforce immigration laws has lasting impacts on California families

Growing up with the constant fear of a parent's deportation was a heavy burden, says the daughter of an undocumented father. How California communities discuss and pursue immigration enforcement has a profound impact on vulnerable children.

By Carielle Escalante • April 30, 2025

People gather and prepare for session inside the California State Assembly chamber, with a screen at the front displaying the date and time: "Friday, March 28, 2025, 9:00 A.M." Some individuals are seated while others walk or converse near desks and the dais.

Commentary

When California politicians ignore policy risks, failure and scandal often result

California lawmakers have a knack for instituting major programs without scrutinizing the potential downsides. A new proposal to create a state infrastructure financing board could become another example.

By Dan Walters • April 30, 2025

An over-the-shoulder view of a person typing on a laptop with a window open to Facebook with the words “Privacy Check-up” on the screen. On the right side of the frame is the person’s ear and their hands on the keyboard as they type.

Commentary

California’s battle over data privacy and algorithm protections reaches a crossroads

After California lawmakers and voters enacted landmark data privacy laws, a key state agency and several politicians are folding under pressure from powerful business interests and pushing to weaken protections.

By Justin Kloczko • April 29, 2025

California Voices

Viewpoints from across California