Dan Walters

California is losing its war on homelessness because state and local governments are operating in political silos rather than combining their resources effectively.

Gov. Gavin Newsom’s fellow Democrats in the Legislature usually let him use the budget process to push his priority bills and minimize debate. Not this time.

The budget proposal that legislative leaders countered with this week would increase spending even more than the governor's revised plan, which was unveiled last month.

As President Donald Trump and California Gov. Gavin Newsom exchange unpleasantries over immigration and funding, they give each other opportunities to make overtures to their political bases.

California's spending has tripled in 25 years under Democratic leadership, while such problems as homelessness, water shortages and poverty grew.

Gov. Gavin Newsom estimated there's a nearly $20 billion hole in the budget, but if lawmakers restore his Medi-Cal cuts the hole could grow $10 billion larger.

California's unemployment rate remains among the nation's highest, while the state struggles to build homes and grow its labor force.

A minor miracle occurred when Los Angeles County voters last year approved several governance reforms, including creating an elected county executive, a position that would be second in California's real-world power only to governor.

As Newsom and legislators fashion a new state budget, verbal exchanges between him and local officials about who is to blame have become sharper.

Los Angeles Unified School District wants to "avoid" charter schools taking over several hundred district buildings. A judge may decide if that's legal.