Commentary
Will spending more fix our schools?
A new report, timed to coincide with two tax increase proposals, contends that more money is needed to improve California's schools. But is it true?
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
California must transform health insurance. Here’s how
Hector De La Torre and John Baackes, L.A. Cares: For L.A. Care, the largest publicly-operated health plan in the country, health insurance has to be more than a plastic card in our member’s wallet. As a plan serving nearly 2.2 million people, the vast majority of them Medi-Cal beneficiaries, we have taken numerous steps to address the various social factors that threaten member health. We are accountable and responsive to the communities we serve and, in recent years, that has meant moving beyond clinical care.
Commentary
A titanic battle over work looms
Ridershare and delivery services that rely on part-time drivers with their own vehicles are proposing a ballot measure to overturn a new law requiring those drivers to become payroll employees.
Commentary
California Democrats’ ‘big tent’ is not yet fully open to young people
Naava Ellenberg, a young Democrat: The California Democratic Party has announced a new program entitled the California Young Democrats Ambassador Program. With this program, two or three ambassadors will be non-voting members of every standing committee in the state’s party. Isn’t that great? We will get to be in the room where decisions are being made. Too bad we will have no say in those decisions.
Commentary
Newsom now owns the wildfire and PG&E crisis
Gov. Gavin Newsom has claimed ownership of the wildfire/Pacific Gas and Electric crisis, but now must deliver.
Commentary
Why are Californians sitting in the dark? Ask the Democrats who are in charge
Sen. Jeff Stone, Riverside County Republican: Thanks to the liberal policies embraced by the governor and the Democratic majority, California has gasoline that is averaging $4.20 a gallon compared to the national average of $2.65, 2 million people had their power cut for days, and we are just one dry winter away from suffering through another man-made drought.
Commentary
Lawmakers must do more to fund mental health care at the University of California. Here’s how to get the money
Emily Estus, UC Berkeley’s Goldman School of Public Policy and School of Public Health: To really improve services and get students the help they need, we need to break the cycle of perpetually underfunding student health and counseling by changing how we think about providing and funding care.
Dan Walters
Slanting ballot measure titles
Attorneys general slant official summaries of ballot measures to affect what happens at the polls.
Commentary
When a $5 co-pay meant a week’s work
Juan Haines, San Quentin News: I’ve had my new set of teeth for about five months. Today, my friends compliment me on my smile. I put on a little weight and my health is much improved. And I appreciate that the governor and the Legislature have ended the $5 co-pay.
Commentary
Are the wealthy fleeing California taxes?
As California increases its income tax bite on the wealthy, some are tempted to flee, but how many do is debatable.