Daniel Walters

A group of people participate in a demonstration outdoors, holding signs in support of transgender rights. One sign reads "Protect Trans Kids," while another states "Trans People Have Always Been Here!" A person with red hair, wearing a denim jacket and a face mask, raises an arm while holding a sign that says "Let All Kids Play." Others in the crowd wear pink bandanas and buttons, standing among trees with autumn-colored leaves. The late afternoon sunlight casts a warm glow on the scene.

Comentario

Newsom tacks right to oppose transgender athletes in women’s sports

Gov. Gavin Newsom is expected to run for president, so he's going to drift rightward on some issues. But he jolted LGBTQ supporters recently with comments about transgender athletes.

Por

Daniel Walters

• marzo 11, 2025

A construction site to a apartment complex.

Comentario

Study tells California legislators to declare war on red tape — but will they?

California needs to "facilitate new construction at an unprecedented scale" to solve housing, water and climate issues, a legislative report says.

Por

Daniel Walters

• marzo 7, 2025

An overhead view of a person as they face and look at three vertical digital screens hung up against a wall that contain more names and case numbers at a courthouse.

Comentario

California’s list of failed tech projects just added an agency

California agencies have spent hundreds of millions on technology projects with mediocre success or failure in some cases. Chaos administering the recent bar exam is the latest example.

Por

Daniel Walters

• marzo 6, 2025

A person wearing a navy blue suit points in front of them as they stand behind a lectern with the California seal in front of it. A large screen with a graphic that reads "our state revenues are up by $16.5 B" is seen next to him.

Comentario

California uses gimmicks instead of addressing the heart of its budget problem

Gimmickry has become an integral part of the current California budget process, even though the state faces a structural deficit.

Por

Daniel Walters

• marzo 5, 2025

Comentario

Reflecting on 50 years of writing about California’s politics — and still counting

As CalMatters columnist Dan Walters reaches a personal milestone entering his 50th year covering California politics, he reflects on his early days on the Capitol beat.

Por

Daniel Walters

• marzo 4, 2025

A person wearing a navy blue jacket with an official city emblem gestures while speaking outdoors. Another person in a black jacket is focused on a phone, while a group of individuals stands behind them. A camera operator records the scene, and a large vehicle is partially visible on the right. Trees and high-rise buildings can be seen in the background.

Comentario

Erratic wildfire performance puts LA Mayor Karen Bass in a political hole

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass' wildfire response includes some embarrassing troubles of her own making, including canning the city's fire chief.

Por

Daniel Walters

• febrero 28, 2025

A row of tents and makeshift shelters, covered with tarps and surrounded by personal belongings, lines a grassy area near a railway under an overcast sky. A person wearing a dark coat and hat moves near a white tent. In the background, a train approaches on an elevated track, and scattered items, bicycles, and blue recycling bins are visible throughout the encampment.

Comentario

Newsom wants to blame others for California’s housing and homelessness failures

Gov. Gavin Newsom fell short of his vow to reduce homelessness and to build 3.5 million new homes. A new state website reports counties' progress on those goals.

Por

Daniel Walters

• febrero 27, 2025

A person with light-colored hair, wearing a red sweater and a plaid face mask, sits on a couch surrounded by stacks of cardboard boxes. They hold up a printed document with a serious expression, scanning its contents. A folder labeled 'COVID' rests on their lap, and blinds cover the window behind them.

Comentario

California’s aging population will test whether its demography is destiny

By 2040, more than one in five Californians will be 65 or older, while the working age population stays the same and the child population shrinks. Are we ready for that?

Por

Daniel Walters

• febrero 14, 2025

A teacher, in glasses and a black and white jacket, points at a screen in front of a classroom of sitting students. The students are seated in groups of desks with laptops in front of them as they watch the teacher.

Comentario

California schools still fall behind despite big increases in spending

Many California students are still behind pre-pandemic progress in math and reading, a new study shows. But Compton students bucked the trend.

Por

Daniel Walters

• febrero 13, 2025

A group of law enforcement officers wearing tactical gear and face coverings walk through a residential area. The officers wear vests labeled with 'FBI' and 'POLICE ICE,' carrying various equipment. The background features a brick building with black railings, suggesting an urban setting.

Comentario

How a 1995 California court ruling that restored immigrant rights could backfire in 2025

Federal prosecutors are trying to overturn Illinois sanctuary laws, and the case could have major implications for a California law limiting local law enforcement cooperation with immigration authorities.

Por

Daniel Walters

• febrero 12, 2025