Opinion
Wanted: A comprehensive data system for education
Illustration depicting the examination of complex data. (Image: alphaspirit, via Shutterstock)OPINION:
Illustration depicting the examination of complex data. (Image: alphaspirit, via Shutterstock)Opinion
Grocery, beverage taxes hurt working families
An assortment of soft-drink brands at a Cypress, Calif., market. (Photo: David Tonelson, via Shutterstock)OPINION: While health and wellness must be a top priority for communities across the US, taxing the poor is not the way to do it. Taxes such as these place a considerably larger share of the economic burden on working families, poor communities and small business owners.
Opinion
E-receipt mandate cold prove costly — and harmful
A man pays digitally at a restaurant using a smart phone. (Photo: Brain2Hands, via Shutterstock)OPINION: The demand for clean, cost-effective alternative fuel vehicles, trucks and buses continues to rise. The installation of thousands of alternative fuel pumps and charging stations up and down the state, supported by state grants and dedicated funding, has helped to make this possible. However, a bill making its way through the State Legislature threatens to unravel these advancements and slow the adoption of clean vehicle fleets.
Opinion
Nursing shortage grows — and state isn’t helping any
Nurses in the corridor of a busy hospital. (Photo: SpotMatik Ltd, via Shutterstock)OPINION: There’s a severe shortage of registered nurses in California, and it’s getting worse. Experts predict the state could be short nearly 200,000 nurses by 2030, with rural areas among the most vulnerable to the deficit.
Opinion
Community college students need better financial aid
Students sharing knowledge in a college study hall. (Photo: Rawpixel.com OPINION: California Community colleges do an outstanding job offering degree attainment and education opportunities that lead to rewarding careers for the 2.1 million students who attend. But far too many of those students cannot cover enrollment fees and basic living expenses, putting them at risk. The current financial aid formula does not fully address the needs of students working to meet their academic goals, and in many cases, working full-time to support themselves and their families.
Opinion
Should California’s privacy law be modified?
Illustration of a privacy law text in a courtroom. (Image: hafakot, via Shutterstock) OPINION: The California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), which takes effect next January, was intended to protect the privacy of personal consumer information by limiting the sale of information between organizations that use data to reach customers, and it provided consumers with certain rights. To achieve these consumer-focused goals, the CCPA imposes significant requirements and burdens on businesses.
Opinion
Renewable gas really is too good to be true
A station providing renewable natural gas in Southern California. (Photo: Southern California Gas Co.)As California ramps up efforts to improve air quality and reduce greenhouse gas emissions statewide, one polluting industry, in particular, is fighting to maintain relevance.
In the face of local governments, state regulators, health professionals, and environmental groups calling for clean energy homes and buildings that can be powered with renewable electricity instead
Opinion
Good child care: Listen to parents, kids, providers
An illustration of children at play. (Image: Nowik Sylwia, via Shutterstock)They say it takes a village to raise a child, and that may be true. But this much we know for certain: for working families in today’s economy, it takes, if not a village, at least a solid team. The backbone of that team is parents, children and caregivers. Parents must work to afford housing, food and other necessities. Children require a safe, nurturing place to be when mom and dad are at their jobs.
Opinion
Protecting the ocean: Don’t stop at the shoreline
A view of the Pacific Ocean along the Big Sur coast in northern California. (Photo: Mariusz S. Jurgielewicz, via Shutterstock)OPINION: California has distinguished itself as a climate leader, from reducing carbon emissions to managing wildfire risk and preparing coastal cities for rising seas. But our action to date has largely stopped at the shoreline, despite the fact that some of the first and worst climate impacts are being felt in the ocean.
Opinion
California’s statute of limitations and AB 1510
Illustration of a book of the statute of limitations on a courtroom desk. (Image: designer491, via Shutterstock)OPINION: Over the last couple of years, our society has finally started taking instances of sexual abuse seriously. The most shocking and attention grabbing cases are of course assaults against children. State legislatures have begun to examine what can be done to help victims of sexual abuse and assault of minors.