Commentary
Politicians keep shifting blame as California’s homelessness crisis worsens
As California's homelessness crisis worsens, politicians have shifted from promising to solve the issue to shifting blame for their failure.
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
California schools can’t keep pace with utility bills. Solar energy offers a needed lifeline
New regulations made new solar installations financially unviable for school districts where utility bills remain a top budget expense. A legislative fix, Senate Bill 1374, could help restore the incentives.
Commentary
California restaurants shouldn’t be shocked law banning ‘junk fees’ applies to them
California restaurant operators are apparently shocked that a new law prohibiting so-called "junk fees" will apply to their industry, saying it will adversely affect their businesses.
Commentary
California restricts how police respond to protests. Why were bean bag shotguns used at UCLA?
A 2021 California law restricts when police can use rubber bullets, bean bag rounds and tear gas on protesters. A retired LAPD officer questions why less lethal munitions appeared to be indiscriminately fired into the pro-Palestinian encampment at UCLA last week.
Reader Reactions
Sustainable farms need to come together, not cast blame over California methane program
Many California farmers have embraced sustainability and strive to curb their climate impact. Instead of casting blame over controversial programs, a Merced farmer says industry peers should be working together.
Commentary
After losing population in recent years, California is starting to grow again. Is that a good thing?
California has long experienced economic and population booms and busts. After several years of population decline, the state is beginning to grow again. Is that a good trend or a negative one?
Commentary
LA quality of life is at a record low, survey shows. Why political leaders shouldn’t ignore that
Some local officials may simply ignore the results of UCLA's annual quality-of-life survey of Los Angeles, which reported the lowest score in its nine years. The better response would be to dig deeper into the results because there is policy guidance within the data.
Commentary
Lagging revenue continues to drive California budget deficit as deadline nears
With the June 15 deadline for the state budget approaching, the amount of tax revenues and the size of the budget deficit loom large for California Gov. Gavin Newsom and legislators.
Commentary
USC decision to deploy police on Gaza war protesters distorts public perception against students
A University of Southern California student says the actions and statements by administrators in recent weeks, including the decision to send police to arrest 93 pro-Palestinian protesters, has wrongly skewed public sentiments against their own students.
Commentary
New battlegrounds emerge in California’s endless housing conflict
California's perpetual political war over housing, pitting the state against local communities, has two new battlegrounds: one on the San Francisco Peninsula, the other in Southern California.