my-turn

Donald Trump's statements on immigration, gender equality, and the environment damaged the Republican brand in California. While many of us continued to work on solution- and people-oriented policies, a vocal minority of the Republican Party viewed Trump’s election as a reason to double down on his rhetoric.

Proposition 2 passed with more votes than any proposition on the statewide ballot. The outcome underscores the extent to which people across this state recognize homelessness as a crisis that is tearing at the fabric of our communities.

New research finds a troubling disconnect between the community college students’ desire to avoid pregnancy and how they act when it comes to preventing it. Students do not consider themselves to be at risk of pregnancy, nor do they express worry about getting pregnant, despite not wanting to have a child while in school.

Deal-making on water is hard. But facing the impending State Water Board regulations, parties in the San Joaquin River basin might be motivated to reach a voluntary accord. Gov. Jerry Brown ad Gov.-elect Gavin Newsom are pushing for it.

The rupture in society has returned, led by too many leaders who forget that words matter, especially when they are mired deeply in the pools of the discord and distrust that exists today, and when they are given widespread exposure on the mountain of social media outlets available. Is it worse than the divisions of the last century? If so, how can it be erased?

You learn a little bit about people when you politick them at their door. Mostly, you learn that they’re busy. They know the tax bill was wrong. They just don’t have time to yak about it. They have Little League games to get to.

The fundamental challenge that clouds the future of the Golden State is the widening chasm between the haves and the have-nots. The issue of income inequality is holding California back, and we need to act.

The California Republican Party isn’t salvageable at this time. The Grand Old Party is dead – partly because it has failed to separate itself from today’s toxic, national brand of Republican politics.

California Public Utility Commission members have many factors to consider whenever they evaluate a merger. But in my view, it comes down to a single question: Will California consumers benefit from this? For the T-Mobile-Sprint merger, the answer is yes.

Pundits and political consultants once thought climate change was a distant concern and not an issue that would energize voters. But as fires rage from Chico to Malibu, people can plainly see, feel, and smell the impact of climate change. And they made their feelings clear at the ballot box.