Dan Walters

California Capitol, home of the Assembly and Senate. Photo by Anne Wernikoff for CalMatters

Commentary

California Gov. Gavin Newsom loves to show off and his latest example is the elaborate rollout of a revised state budget that he touts as historic and transformational.

By

Dan Walters

• May 17, 2021

Commentary

California still mistreating its school kids

The school year will end soon and most of California's 6 million public school students are still trying to learn at home.

By

Dan Walters

• May 16, 2021

Commentary

California population drop caps long trend

California lost population last year, but it's not a sudden event. Rather, the state has been heading that way for decades.

By

Dan Walters

• May 12, 2021

Commentary

Newsom’s relief plan might thwart recall

California Gov. Gavin Newsom's $100 billion "California Comeback Plan" might help him beat a recall effort.

By

Dan Walters

• May 11, 2021

Commentary

California’s experiment in one-man governance

Gov. Gavin Newsom’s executive orders are an experiment in parliamentary government that will be decided by courts and voters.

By

Dan Walters

• May 10, 2021

Commentary

Pandemic eases, but California housing crisis worsens

The COVID-19 pandemic appears to be easing in California, but its effects will linger, including a worsening of the state's housing crisis.

By

Dan Walters

• May 9, 2021

Commentary

Offloading two of California’s civic embarrassments

California is seeing two current examples of offloading civic fiascos rather than dealing with them directly.

By

Dan Walters

• May 5, 2021

Commentary

Eli Broad was a passionate school reformer

When Eli Broad died last week, Los Angeles lost a civic leader and California lost a passionate advocate for charter schools.

By

Dan Walters

• May 4, 2021

Commentary

Pending bill opens door to pension corruption at CalPERS

A pending bill would allow the California Public Employees Retirement System to make direct loans and shield their details from public scrutiny.

By

Dan Walters

• May 3, 2021

Commentary

Is Newsom making any difference on fracking?

Gov. Gavin Newsom’s mixed response to fracking reflects an attempt to placate party factions in advance of a recall

By

Dan Walters

• May 2, 2021