Technology

A person wearing a white polo shirt and a headset microphone holds up a folded U.S. dollar bill while speaking on a stage, with a large pink-lit screen blurred in the background.

Commentary

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.

By

Yousef Baig

• February 2, 2026

The entrance to a large office building with a sign reading “University of California” above glass doors, as a person walks along the sidewalk in front of the building casting a long shadow.

Commentary

University of California’s $28 million system for pension payouts produced chaos and complaints

Like other California state officials, UC's managers failed to adopt its new information tech program, resulting in a lawsuit against the vendors.

By

Dan Walters

• December 16, 2025

A wide view inside a 911 dispatch center with rows of computer stations and overhead screens displaying call and dispatch information. In the foreground, two dispatchers wearing headsets sit at adjacent monitors, focused on their screens. Color-coded alert lights rise from several desks, and other staff members work in the large, softly lit room.

Commentary

Newsom’s 911 debacle is California’s latest failed tech adoption

Since 2019 California has spent $450 million on a new 911 system. This year the Newsom administration declared it unworkable and will start over.

By

Dan Walters

• December 2, 2025

A close-up view of dark purple round banners displayed at the top of a room filled with attendees at a conference. The banners include text that say, "to value fast ..." and "AI, data, and ..."

Commentary

California sees revenue uptick, but not enough to erase its chronic budget deficit

State revenue is several billion dollars more than expected, but that cash must pay for schools and go into reserves. The deficit stays.

By

Dan Walters

• November 19, 2025

Yellow and red cables are plugged into large black shelfs of computer machinery as a person works in the background.

Environment

Data centers are putting new strain on California’s grid. A new report estimates the impacts

A new report estimates that California’s data centers are driving increases in electricity use, water demand and pollution even as lawmakers stall on oversight.

By

Alejandro Lazo

• November 14, 2025

A close-up view of a student's hands on a laptop keyboard. A teacher's hands can be seen nearby resting on the student's desk.

K-12 Education

His students suddenly started getting A’s. Did a Google AI tool go too far?

Some teachers say that AI tools, particularly Google Lens, have made it impossible to enforce academic integrity in the classroom — with potentially harmful long-term effects on students’ learning.

By

Carolyn Jones

• November 10, 2025

Politics

Gov. Gavin Newsom just banned loud ads on Netflix. Here’s why

Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a bill banning ads that are substantially louder than the shows on streaming services such as Netflix and Hulu.

By

Ryan Sabalow

• October 7, 2025

Protestors march at a rally against Asian hate crimes near the Los Angeles Federal Building in downtown Los Angeles on March 27, 202

Commentary

If hate-fueled algorithms cause real-world harm, California tech companies should pay

California legislation that would enable people to sue social media companies if their algorithm spurs violence or other harms just needs the governor's signature.

By Jim Berk • October 3, 2025

A worker in a cleanroom suit, mask, and gloves scans a reel of electronic components with a barcode scanner in a semiconductor manufacturing facility filled with machines and monitors.

Economy

H-1B visa fees, tariffs, a stake in Intel? How Silicon Valley has fared under Trump

President Trump’s policies have affected Nvidia, AMD and the rest of the tech industry differently. Some experts are worried about the effects on innovation.

By

Levi Sumagaysay

• October 2, 2025

Technology

Three bills would protect California workers from AI management, but will costs stand in the way?

Several bills in the California Legislature would regulate how companies use AI to make employment decisions such as compensation, hiring, firing, or promotions, but they may be in jeopardy because of their associated costs.

By

Khari Johnson

• August 25, 2025