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Court win is first step to growing EV use
After repeated efforts, California Attorney General Rob Bonta and litigators from multiple states celebrated their win in a lawsuit against the Trump administration for withholding $379 million in funding for electric vehicles.
The funding is integral for the widespread implementation of electric vehicles in the state. The success of this lawsuit is a great feat since it provides for creation of good-paying jobs, the reduction of air pollution and fuel in the race for clean energy vehicles nationwide. Making the transportation system more sustainable is an important step toward reforming our everyday lives to be more conscious about the environment.
While I celebrate this feat and its benefits to California residents, we need to direct more federal support to electric and clean energy vehicles. Let’s work toward providing more funding and reforming policies to make electric vehicles more accessible and convenient to consumers.
Lemeng Kong
Fremont
Bill would safeguard psychotherapy from AI
I am writing to stress the importance of Senate Bill 903.
This bill would prohibit licensed professionals from excessive, unregulated use of artificial intelligence to assist in providing therapy or psychotherapy. AI serves as a powerful tool in analyzing data and providing insights based on this information but, if left unmanaged, it carries great risk of severe patient harm.
In the current health care landscape, we are already witnessing internet-based AI algorithms providing incorrect information when asked for medical advice, in some cases leading to injury. Additionally, prescribers’ overreliance on AI may lead to atrophy of their clinical skills and decision-making, and remove part of the human-interaction aspect of treatment, which is a significant contributor to patient outcomes when tailoring plans for therapy.
The bill instates much-needed limits, providing safety guidelines for future use of AI.
Aidan Vergara
Vallejo
Financial, logistic help still available for ACA
Re: “Health policy sign-ups decline” (Page A1, Jan. 22).
Sign-up decline in Covered California is expected due to the enhanced subsidies provided by the American Rescue Plan expiring.
President Biden’s enhanced subsidies were a godsend for the pre-Medicare middle-class population who didn’t qualify for subsidies because their income was too high, sometimes by just a few dollars. I met them while I helped people enroll as a counselor. However, the original ACA subsidies still stand, so we should encourage people to check how much it actually costs for them this year. The premium will change as your age, income or family size changes.
Most of us don’t know how to choose health insurance. Use the tool and help available. You might find it affordable. Get covered. Even when coverage is minimal, your cost is lower with an insurance company’s negotiated price. That is what I would like to see in the article.
Kyoko Takayama
Livermore
Federal control adds politics to fire recovery
Re: “Trump signs executive order taking over Los Angeles County wildfire rebuilding process” (Jan. 27).
The recent executive order giving the federal government more control over the wildfire rebuilding process raises serious concerns. While faster rebuilding sounds helpful, taking authority away from state and local governments risks ignoring the specific needs of affected communities. Local agencies understand their land, fire risks and residents far better than distant federal offices.
Rebuilding after wildfires should focus on safety, environmental protection and long-term resilience, not just speed. If oversight is weakened, communities may be pushed to rebuild in unsafe areas without proper planning for future fires. This could lead to more damage and loss in the years ahead.
Wildfire recovery works best when federal support strengthens local decision-making instead of replacing it. Survivors deserve thoughtful, science-based rebuilding that protects both people and the environment, not a rushed process driven by politics.
Arav Mestry
Fremont
Time to restore voice of ‘We, the People’
January marked 50 years since the Buckley v. Valeo (1976) decision, when the U.S. Supreme Court equated limits on campaign spending with limits on free speech. That decision paved the way for Citizens United v. FEC, handing control of campaign finance to unelected judges instead of voters.
Millions of Americans who can’t afford pay-to-play politics feel ignored while wealthy donors call the shots. This isn’t left versus right — it’s about self-government. When a few can drown out the voices of many, the core promise of our republic — that the people hold political power — is at risk.
There are efforts underway that seek reasonable limits on money in politics, and 23 states have already called for a U.S. constitutional amendment.
Restoring limits will strengthen everyday Americans’ representation and let states run elections free from outside influence.
Marina Bearman
Berkeley
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