Dan Walters

Commentary

Newest California trend: Recalling officeholders

Recalling public officials has become trendy in California, reflecting increasing polarization due to the COVID-19 pandemic and increasing crime.

By

Dan Walters

• February 20, 2022

Gov. Gavin Newsom gives a speech following his projected victory in the recall election at the California Democratic Party headquarters in Sacramento on Sept. 14, 2021. Photo by Anne Wernikoff, CalMatters

Commentary

Crime, homelessness drag down Newsom’s approval

California Gov. Gavin Newsom is likely a shoo-in for re-election this year but his approval rating is not impressive and crime and homelessness are dragging down his popularity.

By

Dan Walters

• February 16, 2022

Commentary

No plan yet for bullet train’s soaring price tag

Costs keep rising for California's bullet train project, but the officials who manage it can't tell us how it will be financed.

By

Dan Walters

• February 15, 2022

Sen. Brian Dahle on the senate floor on the first day of the 2020 legislative session

Commentary

A candidate to improve the California GOP image?

Republican Brian Dahle's campaign for governor will probably fail, but could help the GOP to regain relevance in California.

By

Dan Walters

• February 14, 2022

Commentary

Capitol shrinks transparency and accountability

Lately, Capitol politicians have been shrinking transparency and accountability in making policies that affect nearly 40 million Californians.

By

Dan Walters

• February 13, 2022

Commentary

Legislative dynasties becoming more common

It's increasingly common for California legislators to bequeath their seats to offspring or spouses, but the phenomenon is anti-democratic and anti-American.

By

Dan Walters

• February 9, 2022

Commentary

Erratic weather requires new water policy approach

California's changing weather patterns have made the state's water apparatus less capable, but making much-needed change runs into byzantine procedural hurdles.

By

Dan Walters

• February 8, 2022

A multi-family affordable housing project near Humboldt State University under construction on July 18, 2021. The 44-unit building is planned to open later this year. Photo by Patrick Garcia

Commentary

Cities try to thwart state’s push for housing

As California's officials pass laws and regulations to push cities into becoming more receptive to housing development, local officials push back with delaying tactics.

By

Dan Walters

• February 7, 2022

A mob of Trump Supporters climb the west wall of the the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington. Photo by Jose Luis Magana, AP Photo

Commentary

Eric Hoffer warned us about ‘true believers’

The "true believers" that philosopher Eric Hoffer defined seven decades ago threaten to undermine civic and political life.

By

Dan Walters

• February 6, 2022

Commentary

Progressive agenda takes a beating in Capitol

The dream of progressives to make California more like Western Europe suffered a setback when two of their priority bills, including single-payer health care, stalled out in the state Assembly.

By

Dan Walters

• February 2, 2022