Commentary - Page 2 of 322 - CalMatters

How will California deal with budget deficits that seem here to stay?

by Dan Walters May 30, 2023May 30, 2023

From left, Florida Gov. Ron Desantis and California Gov. Gavin Newsom. Photos by Rebecca Blackwell, AP Photo and Miguel Gutierrez Jr, CalMatters

How California and Florida both use schools to fight the culture wars

by Dan Walters May 29, 2023May 25, 2023

California Governor Gavin Newsom speaks during a press conference surrounded by workers at the construction of the Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) for the future site of Proxima Solar Farm in Stanislaus County on May 19, 2023. Gov. Gavin Newsom on Friday pledged to fast-track hundreds of billions of dollars' worth of construction projects throughout the state, including a pair of large water endeavors that have languished for years amid permitting delays and opposition from environmental groups. Photo by John G. Mabanglo, AP Photo

The stakes for Newsom’s big plan to streamline big California projects

by Dan Walters May 28, 2023May 26, 2023

Students rallied with undocumented students, urging University of California leaders to remove hiring restrictions for undocumented students in front of Kerckhoff Hall at UCLA in Los Angeles on May 17, 2023. Photo by Pablo Unzueta for CalMatters

How California can simplify the financial aid process for undocumented students

by Guest Commentary May 25, 2023May 24, 2023

Photo via iStock Photo

Black women in California need more than short-term solutions for maternal health disparities

by Guest Commentary May 24, 2023May 23, 2023

Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., is flanked by aides as she returns to the Senate Judiciary Committee following a more than two-month absence as she was being treated for a case of shingles, at the Capitol in Washington, Thursday, May 11, 2023. Feinstein’s office said Thursday, May 18, that she is suffering from Ramsay Hunt syndrome, a complication from the shingles virus that can paralyze part of the face, and that she contracted encephalitis while recovering from the virus earlier this year. Photo by J. Scott Applewhite, AP Photo

Feinstein’s health has Newsom in a political trap of his own making

by Dan Walters May 24, 2023May 23, 2023

The Klamath River flows outside of Happy Camp on Aug. 29, 2022. Photo by Martin do Nascimento, CalMatters

California taxpayers on the hook to save two unhealthy Western rivers

by Dan Walters May 23, 2023May 24, 2023

Sacramento County Sheriff's deputies in Sacramento on Feb. 28, 2022. Photo by Rahul Lal, Sipa USA via Reuters

California victims of police violence deserve help with funeral costs and recovery, too

by Guest Commentary May 22, 2023May 19, 2023

The Thomas wildfire threatens homes as it burns along the 101 Freeway in Ventura on Dec. 5, 2017. Photo by Jae C. Hong, AP Photo

Reader Reactions

Without CEQA environmental law, California would be a much more hazardous place

by Guest Commentary May 22, 2023May 19, 2023

Assemblymembers convene during session at the state Capitol in Sacramento on Jan. 19, 2023. Photo by Rahul Lal, CalMatters

New wave of demands add pressure to California’s budget squeeze

by Dan Walters May 22, 2023May 19, 2023