California Voices

Viewpoints from across California

A group of five people, dressed in professional attire, sit on chairs on a stage in front of a crowd, with a banner behind them reading “Governor Candidate Forum.” Four of the five people sitting on stage have their hands up to answer the question while a crowd of people watches in the dark.

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.

By Dan Walters

A person in medical protective clothing, wearing a face mask and a hair net, pushes a hospital gurney through a hallway inside a hospital, viewed from an open door.

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.

By Stephen Martinez

Two people face each other as they speak: the person on the left has a happy expression and her arm to her chest, while the person on the right wears a grey suit jacket and glasses. Both people are standing in a park area on a sunny day. In the background is a fence to a baseball field.

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.

By Jim Newton

A close-up view of a person's hand holding a sign that reads "We wants answers! No more deaths!" and they stand at the front steps of a building surrounded by other people holding signs.

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.

By David Myers

Capitol

Legislature should reject any bill that would create a barrier to affordable dental care

Telehealth offers wider access to health care for many Californians, and the Legislature should reject any bills that would create a barrier to affordable dental services.

By Guest Commentary • March 27, 2020

A classroom sits empty at the end of school at Monte Gardens Elementary in Concord, Calif., on Friday, March 13, 2020.

Commentary

With coronavirus closing schools, we need to bridge the digital divide for students with internet access for all

The coronavirus has highlighted the digital divide of many students, which is why we should work to establish internet access for all.

By Guest Commentary • March 26, 2020

California Capitol, home of the Assembly and Senate. Photo by Anne Wernikoff for CalMatters

Commentary

Virus attacks California ballot measures

Among the coronavirus pandemic's many effects, it will alter the November election by keeping some proposals off the ballot and making approval for tax and bond measures more difficult.

By Dan Walters • March 26, 2020

Commentary

Coronavirus pandemic is no time for partisan politics in Washington

The coronavirus pandemic is a public health crisis that’s spawned a global economic crisis, and the immediate question all leaders must answer is: “What now?”

By Guest Commentary • March 25, 2020

Commentary

Battle against coronavirus poses threat to our democratic institutions

While we must prevent the spread of the coronavirus, we must demand that public officials maximize the ability of the people to participate in governmental decision-making.

By Guest Commentary • March 25, 2020

Capitol

Should Californians fix Prop. 13 or the state’s whole system of taxation?

Californians should have a conversation about the split roll initiative on the November ballot and ask if the state’s taxation system as a whole is broken, rather than just Proposition 13.

By Guest Commentary • March 25, 2020

Commentary

Newsom veers off the rails

Last week, Gov. Gavin Newsom caused alarm and confusion for Californians while making pronouncements about dealing with the COVID-19 crisis.

By Dan Walters • March 25, 2020

Commentary

Coronavirus highlights the need to correct the state’s philanthropic inequality

As California suffers from economic fallout due to the coronavirus, the stark difference between wealthy coastal areas and the Central Valley reveals the inequality of the state’s philanthropy.

By Guest Commentary • March 24, 2020

Climate Change

California needs a better plan to achieve ambitious clean energy goals

California’s plan to achieve 100% clean energy by 2045 is based on an outdated greenhouse gas reduction target that fails to take into account the state’s more aggressive goals.

By Guest Commentary • March 23, 2020

Commentary

Virus crisis changes how we work

The coronavirus crisis has quickly and radically changed how Californians work, but its impacts are uneven and no one knows how it plays out in the long run.

By Dan Walters • March 23, 2020