Dan Walters

The Grand Central Market in Los Angeles, on Jan. 19, 2022. Pablo Unzueta for CalMatters

Commentary

California restaurants shouldn’t be shocked law banning ‘junk fees’ applies to them

California restaurant operators are apparently shocked that a new law prohibiting so-called "junk fees" will apply to their industry, saying it will adversely affect their businesses.

By

Dan Walters

• May 7, 2024

A crowd gathers on the pier to celebrate Independence Day in Santa Monica on July 4, 2021. Photo by Kyusung Gong, AP Photo

Commentary

After losing population in recent years, California is starting to grow again. Is that a good thing?

California has long experienced economic and population booms and busts. After several years of population decline, the state is beginning to grow again. Is that a good trend or a negative one?

By

Dan Walters

• May 3, 2024

California's report on the state's own financial health is tardy again. The state Capitol in Sacramento on April 29, 2024. Photo by Miguel Gutierrez Jr., CalMatters

Commentary

Lagging revenue continues to drive California budget deficit as deadline nears

With the June 15 deadline for the state budget approaching, the amount of tax revenues and the size of the budget deficit loom large for California Gov. Gavin Newsom and legislators.

By

Dan Walters

• May 2, 2024

Casa Sueños, an affordable housing complex at 3500 E. 12th St. in Oakland on Aug 7, 2023. Photo by Semantha Norris, CalMatters

Commentary

New battlegrounds emerge in California’s endless housing conflict

California's perpetual political war over housing, pitting the state against local communities, has two new battlegrounds: one on the San Francisco Peninsula, the other in Southern California.

By

Dan Walters

• May 1, 2024

Sheep grazing near solar panels at the Kettleman City Power solar farm on July 27, 2022 Sheep are let into the facility to eat bugs and graze on dry grass that could be a fire hazard. Photo by Larry Valenzuela, CalMatters/CatchLight Local

Commentary

As California cracks down on groundwater, what will happen to fallowed farmland?

California water regulators are cracking down on the overuse of groundwater by farmers. Enforcement could prompt them to idle thousands of acres of farmland and poses larger questions about what will happen to the affected fields.

By

Dan Walters

• April 30, 2024

The state Capitol in Sacramento on July 6, 2022. Photo by Rahul Lal, CalMatters

Commentary

California once led in government transparency. It descended into secrecy and opacity

California, once a leader in government transparency, has descended into secrecy and opacity, making it difficult for the public to know what's happening.

By

Dan Walters

• April 26, 2024

Students at a classroom at St. HOPE’s Public School 7 Elementary in Sacramento on May 11, 2022. Photo by Miguel Gutierrez Jr., CalMatters

Commentary

California charter school battles intensify as education finances get squeezed

California public school financing has been clobbered in recent years, and intensified a long-running battle over charter schools.

By

Dan Walters

• April 25, 2024

Commentary

Key questions about California’s budget deficit remain unanswered as deadlines loom

California has a multibillion-dollar budget deficit, but we still don't know how much and what should be done to close it with key deadlines quickly approaching.

By

Dan Walters

• April 24, 2024

Gov. Gavin Newsom and a worker carry a mattress from a homeless encampment along a freeway in San Diego as he promotes his announced new blueprint homeless plan on Jan. 12, 2022. Photo by Mike Blake, Reuters

Commentary

Newsom remains critical of California’s local response to homelessness. He should look in the mirror

California Gov. Gavin Newsom complains that local government officials have not been effective in dealing with homelessness. But he appears to be shifting the political onus from his own administration.

By

Dan Walters

• April 23, 2024

Commentary

Californians are worried about crime, setting the stage for a ballot measure showdown

Californians once supported criminal justice reforms to lighten penalties for crime but attitudes have changed. A November ballot measure could be a test for just how much.

By

Dan Walters

• April 19, 2024