Dan Walters

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

Commentary

Newsom puts rosy spin on job report

Gov. Gavin Newsom, facing a recall election, puts positive spin on latest job numbers, but the reality is cloudier.

By

Dan Walters

• April 20, 2021

Commentary

California reverses, now shutting prisons

California tripled the number of its prisons during the 1980s and 1990s, but now, as inmate populations drop, it's beginning to shut down some older facilities.

By

Dan Walters

• April 19, 2021

Commentary

A reminder about supplies and demands

Californians should remember that having abundant goods and services requires raw materials and industrial processing.

By

Dan Walters

• April 18, 2021

Commentary

Bills would hamstring future California recalls

As California Gov. Newsom faces a recall election, the Legislature is considering measures that would adversely affect future recalls.

By

Dan Walters

• April 14, 2021

Commentary

Drought hits California — and Newsom

As California faces another drought, it adds another factor in the recall campaign aimed at Gov. Gavin Newsom.

By

Dan Walters

• April 13, 2021

Commentary

California ‘job killer’ list reignites old conflict

In publishing its annual list of "job killer" bills, the California Chamber of Commerce ignites a new phase of a perpetual political conflict.

By

Dan Walters

• April 12, 2021

Commentary

Pandemic has damaged California’s school children

A new report on Los Angeles schools reveals how California's public school students have suffered during the pandemic.

By

Dan Walters

• April 11, 2021

Commentary

Would fed change make higher state taxes more likely?

California Gov. Gavin Newsom and six other governors want the $10,000 limit on deducting state and local taxes to be repealed.

By

Dan Walters

• April 7, 2021

Commentary

James Mills personified a long-past era

Sen. James Mills, personified a long-gone era of cordiality and bipartisanship in the California state Senate.

By

Dan Walters

• April 6, 2021

Commentary

Despite favorable poll, Newsom faces recall test

A new poll finds that just 40% of California voters now favor recalling Gov. Gavin Newsom, but six months is an eternity in politics.

By

Dan Walters

• April 5, 2021