The entrance to a private detention facility in Otay Mesa in San Diego County. (Photo: Simone Hogan, via Shutterstock)OPINION: The COVID-19 pandemic has laid bare numerous issues related to health, equity and justice in our state. One of the most dire circumstances highlighted by the pandemic are the deadly conditions faced by those in immigrant detention facilities in California.
The state Capitol in Sacramento. Photo: Feoktistoff, via Shutterstock)It’s a time-honored habit around the Capitol: Fevered speculation about who may be appointed to fill an empty and important statewide office. Sometimes, the speculation even extends to who is going to be appointed to fill the vacancy left by the first appointment. This time around, it’s all about whom Gov. Gavin Newsom will name as California’s attorney general to fill the vacancy to be left by presumably departing Xavier Becerra.
Children in a stroller in downtown Los Angeles. (Photo: Joseph Sohm, via Shutterstock)OPINION: It’s been a long time since the United States waged a “war on poverty.” But here in California, a new war is underway. Under the leadership of Gov. Gavin Newsom and the state Legislature, our recently enacted state budget confronts our poverty crisis with unprecedented investments in healthcare, preschool, CalWORKS, earned-income tax credits, and expanded juvenile justice and foster care funding and reforms.
Shahid Buttar, a Democrat running against Nancy Pelosi in the primary election in San Francisco's 12th Congressional District. (Photo: Joaquin Romero)REPORTER’S NOTEBOOK: In the grand ballroom of the Hilton Union Square, in the heart of San Francisco, hundreds of Democratic delegates, campaign members and presidential candidates recently attended the summer meeting of the Democratic National Committee. And among the flurry of party officials and media members was Shahid Buttar, Democratic candidate for Congress in California’s 12th District.
Hundreds of people rally for improved health care in front of San Francisco City Hall, 2017. (Photo: Kim Wilson, via Shutterstock)OPINION: In the national debate over immigration, one proposal threatens the health and well-being of every person living in this country. The proposed “public charge” rule would make it more difficult for legal immigrants to become permanent residents and prevent immigrants from using the programs their tax dollars help support, like Medicaid (Medi-Cal in California) or nutrition assistance.
Rep. Dana Rohrabacher at an April 26 news conference on medical cannabis reform. (Photo: Bill Clark, CQ Roll Call, via AP) After 30 years in office, Orange County Republican Congressman Dana Rohrabacher is facing his toughest re-election. Rohrabacher, 70, is being challenged by more than a dozen people in the June primary, including his former ally, Republican Scott Baugh.
Road sign illustration by Rex Wholster, via ShutterstockLos Alamitos Mayor Troy Edgar never imagined that the city’s action to exempt itself from California’s controversial sanctuary law would spark a movement. But that’s what has happened. Following a March vote by the city council, at least six counties and numerous other cities across the state — all with strong Republican registration — have announced opposition to Senate Bill 54, the California Values Act.
Demonstrators protesting U.S. immigration policy at a Los Angeles rally. (Photo: Joseph Sohm)OPINION: Our nation has procrastinated far too long on fixing our broken immigration system. What is needed is a solution that has support from the large and diverse political middle of America, represented by most members of the congress.
A demonstrator pauses to take a selfie at an anti-Trump demonstration in L.A. last month. (Photo: mikeledray, via Shutterstock)At a recent appearance before the Sacramento Press Club, California Attorney General Xavier Becerra defined his job in simple terms: “Anywhere I have jurisdiction to advance or protect the interests of the people of the state of California, you’ll see me there.” Judging by his activities this year, protecting the rights of Californians entails staunch resistance to the federal government.
State Attorney General Xavier Becerra speaks to the Sacramento Press Club. (Photo: Michael Warren Mott)State Attorney General Xavier Becerra is leading California’s increasingly tense challenge to the policies of Donald Trump’s administration. It’s a role that gives him high visibility — and headaches. Becerra, in office just five months, is backed by the person who appointed him attorney general: Gov. Jerry Brown. That support is likely to translate into financial resources, too.