Dan Walters

Commentary

Universal health care now California law – more or less

Universal health care is a big issue for California's Democratic Party but thanks to a budget "trailer bill," a decision on it can be delayed by at least three years while a new commission studies how to do it.

By

Dan Walters

• July 26, 2018

A compass indicating the position of public pensions is show.

Commentary

Pension fund earnings up, but crushing debts remain

California's economy is booming and tax revenues are pouring into public treasuries, but schools and local governments say mandatory payments into pension funds are causing them to dip into reserves and ask taxpayers for more money.

By

Dan Walters

• July 25, 2018

A map of California showing how it would be divided into three separate states under the Three Californias initiative

Commentary

Splitting California runs afoul of constitution

The measure to split California into three states has been removed from the November ballot by the state Supreme Court. Opponents say it would violate the state constitution because revising the constitution can only be initiated in the Legislature.

By

Dan Walters

• July 23, 2018

Commentary

Diving into California’s shameful poverty crisis

California may be the nation's richest state, but it also has the nation's highest level of poverty, thanks to its high cost of living, especially housing. However the political response has been tepid tokenism.

By

Dan Walters

• July 22, 2018

Commentary

Weekly Walters 07/20/2018

A collection of commentaries by Dan Walters over the past week.

By

Dan Walters

• July 20, 2018

Commentary

Inventor’s tax fight with California flares up again

Inventor Gilbert Hyatt's decades-long battle with California tax authorities is flaring up again. Hyatt sought refuge in Nevada, which has no income tax, while California tax collectors say he owes them money.

By

Dan Walters

• July 19, 2018

Kevin de Leon (left) and Dianne Feinstein (right) are shown in this composite image.

Commentary

Democratic left wing wants to jettison Sen. Feinstein

Kevin de León, a state senator who wants to unseat U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein, won the endorsement last weekend of the state Democratic Party executive committee, but she enjoys strong support from Democratic voters and is still likely to win re-election in November.

By

Dan Walters

• July 18, 2018

Commentary

California’s school war will have new political players

California's education establishment is fighting a running battle with school reformers and civil rights groups over accountability for helping "at-risk" kids, and the battle will resume after voters elect a new governor and a new state schools superintendent.

By

Dan Walters

• July 16, 2018

President Donald Trump points at the crowd during a rally.

Commentary

California vs. Trump over 2020 census

California has a big stake in results from the 2020 federal census and is battling with the Trump administration over the details, especially a new question about citizenship. California officials fear that the state's population will be undercounted.

By

Dan Walters

• July 15, 2018

Commentary

Weekly Walters 07/13/2018

A collection of commentaries by Dan Walters over the past week.

By

Dan Walters

• July 13, 2018