Commentary
Californians despair about high cost of living. This housing can help
Factory-built housing could bring down construction and housing costs in California, which has the highest cost of living in the country.
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
Should Los Angeles’ City Council get bigger for better representation? Let voters decide
California’s largest city has 265,000 people per council member, more than most major cities. Voters might vote to reduce that by expanding the council.
Commentary
Democratic angst and gerrymandering threaten California’s political reforms
California Democratic leaders likely won't want to keep the top-two primary system or the independent redistricting commission after this year.
Commentary
New California law will stop sheriffs from medically examining deaths in their own jails
Many jail deaths are preventable. To reduce bias and coverups, independent doctors will investigate deaths in custody, starting in 2027.
Commentary
California’s new governor must hold down clean energy costs, drive innovation
In polls voters say they want a cleaner energy future — but not if it wrecks jobs, doubles their bills or pushes out California’s middle class.
Commentary
California businesses and left-leaning groups clash on the ballot and in court
This year's contests of businesses versus liberal groups include corporate and wealth tax proposals and requirements for greenhouse gas emission reports.
Commentary
California should help neighborhoods in need ‘decarbonize,’ leave natural gas
Regulators can approve up to 30 neighborhood decarbonization zones. Will poorer neighborhoods get first shot at climate saving energy options?
Commentary
Los Angeles and Bay Area voters will decide whether to hike already high sales taxes
San Franciscans will consider a percentage point increase in the sales tax while Bay Area and LA-area voters will be asked for a half a percentage point.
Commentary
Trump’s war on immigrants repeats shameful chapter in America’s past
In the 1940s, U.S. politicians used racial prejudice and fear to justify deporting and detaining Japanese residents, including U.S. citizens. Today's playbook is similar.
Commentary
Reform that re-traumatizes: California’s elderly parole program burdens victims, frightens the community
Under elderly parole, inmates 50 or older who served 20 years or more could be eligible for a parole hearing — regardless of how violent their crime was.