Dan Walters

There is one event that encapsulates USA’s unique place in human history: World War II, when we saved the world during one of its darkest periods.

California's labor unions want to loosen a pension reform from the recession era, but local governments fear the added costs and how it would widen unfunded liabilities.

Capitol leaders resolved several ballot measure conflicts between rival interests, but notably the billionaire tax survived. It will likely be the most expensive ballot campaign this year.

Newsom and legislative leaders announced a balanced budget has been enacted, but the truth is California will continue overspending until the chronic deficit is addressed.

Gavin Newsom has rocketed to the top of the shadow campaign for president. A federal investigation into the Newsoms could either boost or torpedo his ambitions.

The increased competition between California's universities and community colleges shows why the state needs to update its 56-year-old higher education plan.

The November ballot will be full of local and state initiatives that will reveal the appetite of California voters for raising the state’s tax burden.

Democrats might not gain all five seats that Proposition 50 was designed to shift. Republicans have a fair shot at preserving one, and outside chances in two other races.

California frequently turns to minimum wage hikes to offset the state's high living costs, but that creates economic pressures that can also squeeze households stuck in the middle.

A pathway to single-payer healthcare may be possible, but hacking it through the thicket of healthcare economics and politics would require dozens — or even hundreds — of difficult choices.