Commentary
California’s lagging economy hinders efforts to close state budget deficit
As California Gov. Gavin Newsom and legislators contend with a deficit-ridden state budget, they can't count on a booming economy.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Yousef Baig
California Voices Editor
Denise Amos
California Voices Deputy Editor
Dan Walters
Columnist
Jim Newton
Contributor
Pedro Rios
Contributor
Robert Greene
Contributor
George B. Sánchez-Tello
Contributor
Commentary
No matter what district attorney candidates say, Los Angeles is much safer than it used to be
The rhetoric around public safety in the Los Angeles district attorney race overstates the scope of the office, crime realities and priorities for many voters. Yet at least one candidate thinks it will determine who wins.
Commentary
How California’s bursting budget morphed into a $45 billion deficit in just two years
A massive miscalculation in revenue forecasting allowed California Gov. Gavin Newsom to boast of a $97.5 budget surplus that ultimately never materialized. It has since become a $44.9 billion deficit.
Commentary
How California’s new fixed utility charge got its sneaky start in the Legislature
California's Public Utilities Commission has approved a new electric power billing plan based on incomes. Its controversial mostly because of the sneaky way in which the Legislature authorized it.
Commentary
Newsom’s proposed spending cuts spur backlash from affected California groups
California Gov. Gavin Newsom is proposing nearly $34 billion in spending cuts over a two-year span to close a massive budget deficit. Those affected are unhappy.
Commentary
Newsom finally aligns with Legislature’s gloomier budget outlook, blaming ‘massive volatility’
California Gov. Gavin Newsom unveiled a revised state budget that increases the projected deficit by billions of dollars and contained real cuts, something his initial version mostly lacked.
Commentary
How California is building career pathways to its next big economic sector: the ocean
The so-called "blue" economy is one of the fastest growing economic sectors in California. The state's community colleges have aligned with businesses to prepare the next generation of workers.
Commentary
San Francisco’s school system flirts with insolvency. It’s not the only one in California
State education officials are intervening to address San Francisco Unified's chronic budget problems and stave off insolvency. But it's not the only example of fiscal mismanagement in California K-12 system.
Commentary
Menstrual health isn’t part of California sex education. Why that needs to change
Many young Californians aren't properly taught about periods and feel isolated without a trusted source of information. A bill that would update a 2016 law to include age-appropriate facts about menstruation in sex education has garnered wide support, especially from teens.
Commentary
Will California Supreme Court knock anti-tax measure off the November ballot?
Contending factions have waged political war over California taxes for nearly a half-century. It could reach a climax under a ballot measure this fall, but opponents are asking the state Supreme Court to remove it from the ballot.