California Voices

Viewpoints from across California

Two people in suits sit on a studio set, one speaking with hands raised mid-gesture while the other turns toward them, listening.

Spencer Pratt wants to be LA’s next mayor. His tell-all book won’t help him

In his memoir, Pratt describes himself as selfish, undisciplined and unprincipled. He deflects blame, squanders fortunes and complains a lot.

By Jim Newton

A side view of a row of voters sitting in front of voting machines separated by blue dividers. The photo focus on a voter who rest their right hand on their chin as they contemplate their voting selections.

How the Supreme Court’s Voting Rights Act ruling could affect California’s gerrymandered districts

The High Court's decision guts the Voting Rights Act’s impetus to draw districts so non-white ethnic groups get congressional representation.

By Dan Walters

A visitor center sits at the base of steep granite cliffs, surrounded by tall trees. People walk up and down the steps, gather near the entrance, and rest on benches outside. A sign reading “Welcome Center” is mounted on the building, while an American flag stands nearby. The dramatic rock face rises behind the scene under a clear blue sky.

We can’t ‘restore’ American history by flagging Native American books

Pres. Donald Trump is pressuring Redwood National and State Parks to tag tribally-centered books and material critical of American history.

By Kerri Malloy

A person wearing a white polo shirt and a headset microphone holds up a folded U.S. dollar bill while speaking on a stage, with a large pink-lit screen blurred in the background.

Billionaires aren’t going to flee California. Others will without a budget fix

The idea that billionaires will flee California over a proposed wealth tax is bunk. Still, the ballot initiative is only a Band-Aid, and impedes a more serious conversation about the state's deeper fiscal problems.

By Yousef Baig

President Donald Trump points at the crowd during a rally.

Commentary

California vs. Trump over 2020 census

California has a big stake in results from the 2020 federal census and is battling with the Trump administration over the details, especially a new question about citizenship. California officials fear that the state's population will be undercounted.

By Dan Walters • July 15, 2018

Commentary

Weekly Walters 07/13/2018

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

By Dan Walters • July 13, 2018

Commentary

Legislature may erase embarrassing boondoggle

The North Coast Railroad Authority has consumed tens of millions of taxpayer dollars but never delivered on its promise to resurrect rail service north of San Francisco Bay. Finally, the Legislature is poised to abolish it.

By Dan Walters • July 12, 2018

Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom speaks after a formal endorsement from the California Democratic Party. Environmental policy could play an important role in the gubernatorial race between Newsom and John Cox.

Commentary

A supermajority that hinges on one seat

Democrats are likely to regain their two-thirds "supermajority" in the state Assembly this year. Whether they also enjoy that dominance in the state Senate depends on the outcome of one contest in rural California.

By Dan Walters • July 11, 2018

Commentary

Unintended consequences of new privacy law?

California legislators passed a hastily drafted bill purporting to protect Californians' personal and financial data from exposure and exploitation. But it could run afoul of the law of unintended consequences.

By Dan Walters • July 9, 2018

Income taxes are 70 percent of California's general-fund revenue. Image via Flickr

Commentary

Coy about taxes and pension costs

As local government officials ask voters for tax increases, they are reluctant to tell them that the extra revenue is needed to cover pension costs. But one city is not being coy about it.

By Dan Walters • July 8, 2018

Commentary

Weekly Walters 07/06/2018

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

By Dan Walters • July 6, 2018

Jerry Brown is showing holding up California's state budget on June 27, 2018. This is his final time as governor signing a budget.

Commentary

Did Brown fix California’s budget mess? Nope

Jerry Brown has signed his 16th and final state budget, bragging that he fixed California's financial mess. But that claim, and his claim of securing the state's fiscal future, are overblown.

By Dan Walters • July 5, 2018

Commentary

Genteel extortion cancels three ballot measures

Three initiatives that had qualified for the November ballot were dropped last week after their sponsors negotiated deals with the Legislature. Was it extortion? Not in the criminal sense, perhaps, but it was the adroit use of leverage.

By Dan Walters • July 4, 2018

The nine justices of the United States Supreme Court are shown.

Commentary

Supreme Court decision could hit unions hard

The U.S. Supreme Court has declared that compelling non-members of public employee unions to pay dues is unconstitutional. California's unions are now scrambling to avoid an erosion of their memberships, their revenues and their political clout.

By Dan Walters • July 2, 2018