Dan Walters

California went from being a state with high economic mobility and opportunity to a society starkly separated by wealth, income and race.

Wrong revenue projections a few years ago led California to overspend, creating structural deficits. Now underestimated Medi-Cal costs are blowing holes in the latest proposed budget.

Two of the most contentious issues awaiting votes in Congress would have particularly heavy impacts on California.

Major interest groups allied with the Democratic Party have been critical of Gov. Gavin Newsom's revised budget proposal since it was unveiled last week.

All of the Democratic contenders for California governor promised unions they would be less aggressive than Gov. Gavin Newsom has been with oil industry.

Gavin Newsom pinned California's gloomy financial picture on a "Trump slump," blaming the president's tariffs during the rollout of a revised state budget proposal.

Gov. Gavin Newsom says Donald Trump is a "bully," but he's no stranger to using bullying tactics himself, especially to force local governments to obey his commands.

Seven Democrats running for California governor largely toed the line at a "beauty contest" with powerful labor leaders. But two people not in the room loomed large.

Other efforts to reduce Californians' carbon footprint have cost consumers. A new auditor report notes a greenhouse gas reduction program has raised gasoline prices.

Since Gavin Newsom became governor, state spending has increased an average 9% a year while revenues grew 6%. That's called a “structural deficit.”