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Dan Walters

Opinion Columnist

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Dan Walters is one of most decorated and widely syndicated columnists in California history, authoring a column four times a week that offers his view and analysis of the state’s political, economic, social and demographic trends. He began covering California politics in 1975, just as Jerry Brown began his first stint as governor, and began writing his column in 1981, first for the Sacramento Union for three years, then for The Sacramento Bee for 33 years and now for CalMatters since 2017. 

Dan is also the author or co-author of two books about California, “The New California: Facing the 21st Century” and “The Third House: Lobbyists, Money and Power in Sacramento.” He is a frequent radio show guest and occasionally appears on national television, commenting on California issues. 

Walters began his career in 1960 at the Humboldt Times in Eureka, California, a month before his 17th birthday, first as a newsroom aide and later as a police beat reporter. Having found his calling, he not only turned down a National Merit college scholarship but dropped out of high school, lacking one required class – ironically civics – to qualify for a diploma. Before moving to Sacramento to cover politics, he was the managing editor of three small daily newspapers. He has two adult daughters and three grandsons. 

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CalMatters en Español
Opinión: ¿La ley de armas de California se dirige a la Corte Suprema?
EN RESUMEN La prohibición de California de los cargadores de armas de fuego con más de 10 rondas ha sido confirmada por un tribunal federal de apelaciones, pero la Corte Suprema de los Estados Unidos puede tener la última palabra.  Read this article in English. California tiene algunas de las leyes de control de armas más […]
By • December 1, 2021
CalMatters en Español
Opinión: El crimen podría convertirse en un tema candente en 2022
EN RESUMEN La reacción política a una serie de robos minoristas indica que el crimen podría ser un tema candente en las elecciones de California del próximo año. Read this article in English.  Periódicamente, California experimenta un aumento en el crimen, o al menos un aumento en la conciencia pública y la preocupación por el crimen, […]
By • November 29, 2021
A vacant parking lot overlooked by the Urban Town House Project construction site in Long Beach, on July 22, 2021. The affordable housing project will be for low-income families. Photo by Pablo Unzueta for CalMatters
CalMatters en Español
Opinión: La crisis de vivienda en California se desplaza hacia una guerra política
EN RESUMEN Los políticos de California han estado peleando por la escasez crónica de viviendas en el estado, pero ahora el debate se está convirtiendo en una guerra política. Read this article in English. El conflicto entre los funcionarios estatales y los gobiernos locales sobre la construcción de viviendas, o la falta de ella, se intensificó […]
By • November 28, 2021

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Dan Walters - CalMatters
Dan Walters is one of most decorated and widely syndicated columnists in California history, authoring a column four times a week that offers his view and analysis of the state’s political, economic, social and demographic trends.
CalMatters
California, explained
Dan Walters
Dan Walters is one of most decorated and widely syndicated columnists in California history, authoring a column four times a week that offers his view and analysis of the state’s political, economic, social and demographic trends. He began covering California politics in 1975, just as Jerry Brown began his first stint as governor, and began writing his column in 1981, first for the Sacramento Union for three years, then for The Sacramento Bee for 33 years and now for CalMatters since 2017. Dan is also the author or co-author of two books about California, “The New California: Facing the 21st Century” and “The Third House: Lobbyists, Money and Power in Sacramento.” He is a frequent radio show guest and occasionally appears on national television, commenting on California issues. Walters began his career in 1960 at the Humboldt Times in Eureka, California, a month before his 17th birthday, first as a newsroom aide and later as a police beat reporter. Having found his calling, he not only turned down a National Merit college scholarship but dropped out of high school, lacking one required class – ironically civics – to qualify for a diploma. Before moving to Sacramento to cover politics, he was the managing editor of three small daily newspapers. He has two adult daughters and three grandsons.