Relaying his experience as a parent during COVID-19, columnist Joe Mathews argues that distance learning as employed during the pandemic was an inevitable failure. Parents were overwhelmed with “go-between” duties, students were unmotivated to attend virtual school, and California’s online infrastructure was insufficient. State legislators must focus on overcoming setbacks post-COVID and revitalizing high quality education, Mathews asserts on Fox & Hounds Daily.

In an odd article on the redistricting of county District 1, the Mercury News trots out an old, discredited notion that, when it comes to voting, demography is destiny, and that Hispanic voters are a liberal bloc. The latest data from around the country disproves the Merc's assertion, as Hispanic voters are increasingly diverse and conservative in their electoral choices. Data from various sources below.

In 2022, more mass shootings have occurred (over 250 and counting) than days have passed in the year. Highlighting a “rare success story,” Evan Symon of the California Globe details how Berkeley High School’s consistent communication with local police about a suspicious 16-year-old student thwarted his mass shooting/bombing plan. The boy was arrested after police tips and a search warrant that discovered numerous attack weapons.

Our nation’s “pool” of public employee pension money is five times larger than the Social Security Trust Fund—yet succors six times less Americans. Why should taxpayers fund economically harmful and precarious public sector pensions? Political commentator Edward Ring explains how public employee pensions steal citizens’ money to support an unfair, politically-motivated system. Ring enjoins that public sector pensions be eliminated and the funds relocated to the Social Security Trust Fund.

Mathematically speaking, long-term projects on the Californian legislature’s newly-passed budget can survive only to 2023. By the end of June, both parties must agree on a finalized state budget; most Democrats are pushing for expansive projects and stimulus-type payouts, while Republicans and Gov. Newsom want realistically fundable options. Evan Symon of the California Globe discusses this “tale of two budgets” and its implications for our economic stability.

Public policy commentator Eric Green argues for State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond’s resignation after recent donations (totaling $1.2 million) from three teachers unions. Why aren’t Democrats opposing Big Money’s stain on a fair election system?

Born and raised in San Jose, California, Lauren Oliver has a B.A. in English and will graduate this August with an M.A. in Communication from Baylor University. Lauren has enjoyed teaching language arts to 4th–9th grade students and public speaking to undergraduate San Jose State University students; and in her free time, you can find her taking walks at the park, shopping for clothes she doesn’t need, or watching one of her guilty pleasures (Twilight is best appreciated by an exhausted brain!). Lauren has been a researcher and writer for Opp Now and will now expand her responsibilities to include all editorial management. We are jazzed to welcome her sharp wit and acute editorial skills to our growing community.

Californians already pay the highest gas prices in the nation, and low-income residents (who often have longer commutes) are disproportionately shortchanged. What’s more, our state’s stringent “green” energy policies will effect more electricity importation. This will further drive up gas costs, says energy consultant Ronald Stein. Why aren’t social justice supporters fighting rampant socioeconomic discrimination at the pump?