California Voices

Proposition 12: Pro-Proposition 12 would strengthen California law and ensure that meat and eggs produced and sold here come from cage-free conditions. Con-Proposition 12 is a poorly written initiative that will result in supply disruptions, price spikes and a shortage of eggs, and turn food inspectors into meat police.

As a California Public Utilities Commissioner, I am obligated to ensure that the choices made by one group of electric customers don’t have adverse financial impacts on other customers who lack similar available opportunities. In the competitive, complex and technical world of electricity generation that’s not a simple task. But that's what the CPUC will vote on this Thursday.

Changing attitudes of white voters shifted California from a Republican-leaning purple state into a deeply blue bastion of resistance to Donald Trump.

Voter turnout will be the political wildcard in Orange County. Since 2000, Orange County’s voter turnout in midterms has been on average 21 points lower than in presidential elections. A low turnout this year would be a throwback to the “old” Orange County electorate—more Republicans and whites. A high turnout would reflect the “new” Orange County—more Democrats, independents, and nonwhites. Voter turnout will be the political wildcard in Orange County. Since 2000, Orange County’s voter turnout in midterms has been on average 21 points lower than in presidential elections. A low turnout this year would be a throwback to the “old” Orange County electorate—more Republicans and whites. A high turnout would reflect the “new” Orange County—more Democrats, independents, and nonwhites.

California's latest academic test results show that the "achievement gap" in public education is stubborn despite large increases in school spending.

Frank Schetter, Sacramento It seems very easy for some teachers to indicate that they would like to have their retirement investments free of companies such as GEO Group, CoreCivic, and General Dynamics. That’s all well and good. The problem as I see it is that there are no ramifications for the teacher who was quoted, Adrianna Betti. If […]

A collection of commentaries by Dan Walters over the past week.

California new consumer privacy act should be the baseline for any federal law. The rights of California consumers not only must be protected but expanded to other consumers in our country and around the globe. That’s what I will tell the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation when I testify on Wednesday.

Once again, Legislature fiddles with election laws to affect the outcome of contests.

James W. Rushford: Dianne Feinstein's handling of the letter from Dr. Christine Blasey Ford alleging that Kavanaugh assaulted her when they were in high school was such that Republicans cannot allow her to retain her seat. I will vote for Kevin de León for U.S. Senate, and I hope other California Republicans will agree. Laura Friedman: If we really want to encourage victims to come forward, we must create processes that reduce their trauma and place them in a position of control. Shouldn’t it be up to victims to decide if and when to tell their story?