Mariel Garza
@marielgarza.bsky.social
Co-founder and exec editor of golden-state.org and contributor to @BostonGlobe Opinion. Former L.A. Times editorials editor and member of the now-defunct editorial board.
The case against a $30 minimum wage in L.A. www.golden-state.org/the-case-aga...
The case against a $30 minimum wage in L.A.
It represents a nearly 70% wage hike in just a few years. That cost has to land somewhere. Most likely, workers and consumers will feel the pinch.
www.golden-state.org
December 22, 2025 at 6:49 PM
The case against a $30 minimum wage in L.A. www.golden-state.org/the-case-aga...
Reposted by Mariel Garza
Please allow me to rant for a minute. It's absurd that so many things—alarm clocks, fitness wearables, car features—require a separate subscription these days. www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
Monster of 2025: Endless subscriptions
We're being $5.99 per month-ed to death.
www.motherjones.com
December 19, 2025 at 7:13 PM
Please allow me to rant for a minute. It's absurd that so many things—alarm clocks, fitness wearables, car features—require a separate subscription these days. www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
LAPD used to be a model of providing the public granular data that showed residents where crime was happening in their neighborhoods. That data stopped updating nearly two years ago and there's no ETA for when it will become available again. www.golden-state.org/why-wont-the...
Why won’t the LAPD give the public usable crime data?
Police officials promised that the public would get even better data when the department upgraded its reporting system. Nearly two years later, residents are still in the dark about crime happening in...
www.golden-state.org
December 19, 2025 at 5:21 PM
LAPD used to be a model of providing the public granular data that showed residents where crime was happening in their neighborhoods. That data stopped updating nearly two years ago and there's no ETA for when it will become available again. www.golden-state.org/why-wont-the...
If you like "Yellowstone" you'll love this story by @sammyroth.bsky.social about a real-life powerful ranching family in Imperial County and the mysterious murder of one of its members. open.substack.com/pub/climatec...
Death in the Desert, Part 1: Who Killed Kerri Abatti?
An Imperial Valley murder mystery, with a helping of climate change.
open.substack.com
December 18, 2025 at 7:14 PM
If you like "Yellowstone" you'll love this story by @sammyroth.bsky.social about a real-life powerful ranching family in Imperial County and the mysterious murder of one of its members. open.substack.com/pub/climatec...
Reposted by Mariel Garza
MOCA's "MONUMENTS" exhibit is stunning, and lacking. The curators missed a golden opportunity by failing to include the Father Serra statue removed from Plaza Olvera by Indigenous activists in 2020, writes Oscar Garza.
MOCA's missed opportunity
The "MONUMENTS" exhibit in downtown Los Angeles examines the removal of Confederate hero statutes. But it ignores L.A.'s own reckoning with controversial historical figures.
www.golden-state.org
December 16, 2025 at 4:26 PM
MOCA's "MONUMENTS" exhibit is stunning, and lacking. The curators missed a golden opportunity by failing to include the Father Serra statue removed from Plaza Olvera by Indigenous activists in 2020, writes Oscar Garza.
The 2026 gubernatorial primary isn't likely to be as silly as the 2003 recall, but it's shaping to be more interesting than races in the last 20 years. Hooray for that. open.substack.com/pub/goldenst...
Why I'm stoked by California's wide open 2026 governor's race
It may not rise to the level of absurdity of the 2003 recall, but the large cast of candidates suggests a pretty entertaining time leading up to the primary. That’s good for me, and for voters.
open.substack.com
December 12, 2025 at 5:03 PM
The 2026 gubernatorial primary isn't likely to be as silly as the 2003 recall, but it's shaping to be more interesting than races in the last 20 years. Hooray for that. open.substack.com/pub/goldenst...
This shows the power and importance of local journalism: A reporter highlighted a problem - underaged ag workers - and it pressured authorities to act. @capitalandmain - capitalandmain.com/to-protect-u...
To Protect Underage Farmworkers, California Expands Oversight of Field Conditions
State agencies to join forces to crack down on child labor violations after Capital & Main found enforcement breakdowns.
capitalandmain.com
December 9, 2025 at 7:05 PM
This shows the power and importance of local journalism: A reporter highlighted a problem - underaged ag workers - and it pressured authorities to act. @capitalandmain - capitalandmain.com/to-protect-u...
Reposted by Mariel Garza
In a few weeks, Rose Parade viewers around the world will marvel at Pasadena's beauty -- but the city's school district just cut nearly $25 million from next year's budget. That reflects a broader threat to public education as families opt out of the system, writes @paulthornton.bsky.social.
What happens when parents abandon public education? Look at Pasadena
The suburban Los Angeles County city is hemorrhaging students, closing schools and cutting teachers and programs. It's a similar story in cities across the state, where wealthy families are opting out...
www.golden-state.org
December 9, 2025 at 4:24 PM
In a few weeks, Rose Parade viewers around the world will marvel at Pasadena's beauty -- but the city's school district just cut nearly $25 million from next year's budget. That reflects a broader threat to public education as families opt out of the system, writes @paulthornton.bsky.social.
Affordability is no "con job" when it comes to California's rental market. But when the option is freezing in Fargo, you hold on, writes Jane Ganahl in @goldenstateorg.bsky.social www.golden-state.org/retire-to-ar...
Retire to Arkansas? The rent's too damn high in California, but I’m staying
It's a struggle to afford life in the Golden State for middle-income seniors. But if your family, and your heart, is here, the only option is embracing frugality.
www.golden-state.org
December 5, 2025 at 3:56 PM
Affordability is no "con job" when it comes to California's rental market. But when the option is freezing in Fargo, you hold on, writes Jane Ganahl in @goldenstateorg.bsky.social www.golden-state.org/retire-to-ar...
Says a man born into great wealth, and who appointed the richest cabinet in U.S. history (per Forbes). I bet none of them cringed when they saw their 2026 health care premium notifications.
December 3, 2025 at 10:11 PM
Says a man born into great wealth, and who appointed the richest cabinet in U.S. history (per Forbes). I bet none of them cringed when they saw their 2026 health care premium notifications.
Reposted by Mariel Garza
An entire room full of powerful old white people smiling and laughing as the president dehumanizes black immigrants and the first black president.
Just fucking pathetic.
Just fucking pathetic.
Trump, continued: "What the Somalian people have done to Minnesota is not even believable. It’s not even believable. And a lot of it starts with the governor. A lot of it starts with Barack HUSSEIN Obama, because that’s when people started coming in... They want to kiss our country good night."
December 3, 2025 at 9:59 PM
An entire room full of powerful old white people smiling and laughing as the president dehumanizes black immigrants and the first black president.
Just fucking pathetic.
Just fucking pathetic.
Reposted by Mariel Garza
California shut down its last coal plant last week and nobody even noticed, it made so little little difference.
Meanwhile solar is up 17% and gas is down 17% from 2024. I have a few highlights... www.climatecoloredgoggles.com/p/ding-dong-...
Meanwhile solar is up 17% and gas is down 17% from 2024. I have a few highlights... www.climatecoloredgoggles.com/p/ding-dong-...
Ding dong, coal is dead
At least in California.
www.climatecoloredgoggles.com
December 2, 2025 at 5:25 PM
California shut down its last coal plant last week and nobody even noticed, it made so little little difference.
Meanwhile solar is up 17% and gas is down 17% from 2024. I have a few highlights... www.climatecoloredgoggles.com/p/ding-dong-...
Meanwhile solar is up 17% and gas is down 17% from 2024. I have a few highlights... www.climatecoloredgoggles.com/p/ding-dong-...
For a book no one seems to like, it sure is getting a lot of attention.
"All the surf and smoke and Didionesque stylings in the world cannot disguise the central problem with ‘American Canto’: It is not honest," Helen Lewis argues. theatln.tc/3UOQskEP
December 2, 2025 at 11:28 PM
For a book no one seems to like, it sure is getting a lot of attention.
Reposted by Mariel Garza
Cover Reveal!
“The Nerd Reich: Silicon Valley Fascism and the War on Democracy" arrives on August 4, 2026.
How extremist tech billionaires are dismantling democracy to crown themselves as kings—and what we can do about it.
Please pre-order! ➡️ www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Ne...
“The Nerd Reich: Silicon Valley Fascism and the War on Democracy" arrives on August 4, 2026.
How extremist tech billionaires are dismantling democracy to crown themselves as kings—and what we can do about it.
Please pre-order! ➡️ www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Ne...
November 26, 2025 at 7:16 PM
Cover Reveal!
“The Nerd Reich: Silicon Valley Fascism and the War on Democracy" arrives on August 4, 2026.
How extremist tech billionaires are dismantling democracy to crown themselves as kings—and what we can do about it.
Please pre-order! ➡️ www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Ne...
“The Nerd Reich: Silicon Valley Fascism and the War on Democracy" arrives on August 4, 2026.
How extremist tech billionaires are dismantling democracy to crown themselves as kings—and what we can do about it.
Please pre-order! ➡️ www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Ne...
Can’t say I agree about not improving LAX — it’s a mess. But the author has a good point about air travel, and I enjoy fact-based arguments that challenge my assumptions.
If that's your jam too, consider sending some of your #GivingTuesday dollars our way this year at givebutter.com/NY2Duo
If that's your jam too, consider sending some of your #GivingTuesday dollars our way this year at givebutter.com/NY2Duo
'Climate arson': A scientist's case against LAX's Olympic expansion
Aviation is a "hard to abate" greenhouse gas emitter. Sizing LAX for mega-events like the Olympics is a huge mistake, says a scientist.
open.substack.com
December 2, 2025 at 5:02 PM
Can’t say I agree about not improving LAX — it’s a mess. But the author has a good point about air travel, and I enjoy fact-based arguments that challenge my assumptions.
If that's your jam too, consider sending some of your #GivingTuesday dollars our way this year at givebutter.com/NY2Duo
If that's your jam too, consider sending some of your #GivingTuesday dollars our way this year at givebutter.com/NY2Duo
My latest missive from California in @globeopinion.bsky.social
Gavin Newsom isn’t running for president (yet), and he’s already winning - The Boston Globe
Is his front-runner status a blessing or a curse?
www.bostonglobe.com
December 1, 2025 at 4:56 PM
My latest missive from California in @globeopinion.bsky.social
Reposted by Mariel Garza
NEW: California is having its most wide-open governor’s race in decades. Why’s that?
Billionaire Tom Steyer and Rep Eric Swalwell are the latest -- and maybe not the last -- candidates to jump into the contest.
Like nature, political ambition abhors a vacuum.
www.latimes.com/politics/sto...
Billionaire Tom Steyer and Rep Eric Swalwell are the latest -- and maybe not the last -- candidates to jump into the contest.
Like nature, political ambition abhors a vacuum.
www.latimes.com/politics/sto...
Commentary: California is having its most wide-open governor's race in decades. Why's that?
Billionaire Tom Steyer and Rep. Eric Swalwell are the latest — and maybe not the last — candidates to jump into the contest. The lack of a prohibitive front-runner signals opportunity.
www.latimes.com
November 23, 2025 at 4:16 PM
NEW: California is having its most wide-open governor’s race in decades. Why’s that?
Billionaire Tom Steyer and Rep Eric Swalwell are the latest -- and maybe not the last -- candidates to jump into the contest.
Like nature, political ambition abhors a vacuum.
www.latimes.com/politics/sto...
Billionaire Tom Steyer and Rep Eric Swalwell are the latest -- and maybe not the last -- candidates to jump into the contest.
Like nature, political ambition abhors a vacuum.
www.latimes.com/politics/sto...
Reposted by Mariel Garza
Jesus Christ
Border Patrol chief Greg Bovino responds “roger that” to a tweet reading “big or small, deport them all.”
November 16, 2025 at 9:49 PM
Jesus Christ
Reposted by Mariel Garza
Mexican entrepreneurship knows no limits…
Behold the ICE officer piñata 🪅
Behold the ICE officer piñata 🪅
August 7, 2025 at 11:08 PM
Mexican entrepreneurship knows no limits…
Behold the ICE officer piñata 🪅
Behold the ICE officer piñata 🪅
This is super depressing for us old-school journalists. But it also has the uncomfortable ring of truth.
"She’s not trying to rebuild her reputation as a journalist—she’s building a different kind of brand entirely, one where being interesting matters more than being ethical, where attention is the only currency that still spends."
The best thing I have read about her. www.mediaite.com/opinion/the-...
The best thing I have read about her. www.mediaite.com/opinion/the-...
The Olivia Nuzzi Comeback Is Everything Wrong With Modern Media
Olivia Nuzzi’s comeback isn’t a personal scandal story—it’s proof that today’s media rewards access, personality, and controversy more than ethics.
www.mediaite.com
November 21, 2025 at 5:05 PM
This is super depressing for us old-school journalists. But it also has the uncomfortable ring of truth.
I have some thoughts about the N.Y. Post's expansion in California. open.substack.com/pub/goldenst...
L.A. to N.Y. Post: Drop dead
There are plenty of things to criticize about California and Los Angeles, but GOP-talking points disguised as independent commentary don't really add to the conversation.
open.substack.com
November 21, 2025 at 3:45 PM
I have some thoughts about the N.Y. Post's expansion in California. open.substack.com/pub/goldenst...
Reposted by Mariel Garza
Does Texas' new districts getting thrown out mean Prop. 50 -- sold as a tit-for-tat response to Texas -- is moot? Nope, because there is no actual triggering language in the CA law that voters passed on Nov. 4, writes @paulthornton.bsky.social
So long to Texas' new districts. In California, Prop. 50's maps are here to stay
Sold as California's response to mid-decade redistricting in Texas, Proposition 50 doesn't actually include triggering language based on what any other state does.
www.golden-state.org
November 18, 2025 at 11:31 PM
Does Texas' new districts getting thrown out mean Prop. 50 -- sold as a tit-for-tat response to Texas -- is moot? Nope, because there is no actual triggering language in the CA law that voters passed on Nov. 4, writes @paulthornton.bsky.social
Reposted by Mariel Garza
A former Palantir exec just published an extortion letter in the Washington Post: Democrats must fund tech oligarchs, abandon antitrust, and create 15 deregulated corporate zones—or “lose.”
When I challenged her, she blocked me.
Tech’s moral rot, exposed:
www.thenerdreich.com/silicon-vall...
When I challenged her, she blocked me.
Tech’s moral rot, exposed:
www.thenerdreich.com/silicon-vall...
Silicon Valley’s Extortion Letter to Democrats
Ex-Palantir Exec Warns Democrats to Bow Down or Lose the Future
www.thenerdreich.com
November 18, 2025 at 4:14 PM
A former Palantir exec just published an extortion letter in the Washington Post: Democrats must fund tech oligarchs, abandon antitrust, and create 15 deregulated corporate zones—or “lose.”
When I challenged her, she blocked me.
Tech’s moral rot, exposed:
www.thenerdreich.com/silicon-vall...
When I challenged her, she blocked me.
Tech’s moral rot, exposed:
www.thenerdreich.com/silicon-vall...