Commentary

A group of five people, dressed in professional attire, sit on chairs on a stage in front of a crowd, with a banner behind them reading “Governor Candidate Forum.” Four of the five people sitting on stage have their hands up to answer the question while a crowd of people watches in the dark.

No clear frontrunner for governor, but new poll names five with the best shot

A poll shows three Democrats and two Republicans have voter support percentages in the teens. The top two vote-getters in June will face off in November.

By Dan Walters

A person in medical protective clothing, wearing a face mask and a hair net, pushes a hospital gurney through a hallway inside a hospital, viewed from an open door.

She spent six of her last years in arbitration with her HMO. Her husband’s still fighting the system

Arbitrators in medical disputes are supposed to be unbiased, but this couple suspected there is an incentive to favor HMO’s in arbitration.

By Stephen Martinez

Two people face each other as they speak: the person on the left has a happy expression and her arm to her chest, while the person on the right wears a grey suit jacket and glasses. Both people are standing in a park area on a sunny day. In the background is a fence to a baseball field.

A former political ally tests LA liberals’ allegiance to Mayor Karen Bass

Mayor Karen Bass isn't vulnerable on her right, but she may be on her left, as City Councilmember Nithya Raman, a Democratic Socialist and ex-supporter, runs against her.

By Jim Newton

A close-up view of a person's hand holding a sign that reads "We wants answers! No more deaths!" and they stand at the front steps of a building surrounded by other people holding signs.

California promised accountability for inmate deaths in jails. A year later, no results.

Lawmakers passed a law creating a state department to review inmate deaths, but it hasn’t completed a single death review in its first year.

By David Myers

A compass indicating the position of public pensions is show.

Commentary

Pension fund earnings up, but crushing debts remain

California's economy is booming and tax revenues are pouring into public treasuries, but schools and local governments say mandatory payments into pension funds are causing them to dip into reserves and ask taxpayers for more money.

By Dan Walters • July 25, 2018

A map of California showing how it would be divided into three separate states under the Three Californias initiative

Commentary

Splitting California runs afoul of constitution

The measure to split California into three states has been removed from the November ballot by the state Supreme Court. Opponents say it would violate the state constitution because revising the constitution can only be initiated in the Legislature.

By Dan Walters • July 23, 2018

Commentary

Diving into California’s shameful poverty crisis

California may be the nation's richest state, but it also has the nation's highest level of poverty, thanks to its high cost of living, especially housing. However the political response has been tepid tokenism.

By Dan Walters • July 22, 2018

Commentary

Weekly Walters 07/20/2018

A collection of commentaries by Dan Walters over the past week.

By Dan Walters • July 20, 2018

Commentary

Inventor’s tax fight with California flares up again

Inventor Gilbert Hyatt's decades-long battle with California tax authorities is flaring up again. Hyatt sought refuge in Nevada, which has no income tax, while California tax collectors say he owes them money.

By Dan Walters • July 19, 2018

Kevin de Leon (left) and Dianne Feinstein (right) are shown in this composite image.

Commentary

Democratic left wing wants to jettison Sen. Feinstein

Kevin de León, a state senator who wants to unseat U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein, won the endorsement last weekend of the state Democratic Party executive committee, but she enjoys strong support from Democratic voters and is still likely to win re-election in November.

By Dan Walters • July 18, 2018

Commentary

California’s school war will have new political players

California's education establishment is fighting a running battle with school reformers and civil rights groups over accountability for helping "at-risk" kids, and the battle will resume after voters elect a new governor and a new state schools superintendent.

By Dan Walters • July 16, 2018

President Donald Trump points at the crowd during a rally.

Commentary

California vs. Trump over 2020 census

California has a big stake in results from the 2020 federal census and is battling with the Trump administration over the details, especially a new question about citizenship. California officials fear that the state's population will be undercounted.

By Dan Walters • July 15, 2018

Commentary

Weekly Walters 07/13/2018

A collection of commentaries by Dan Walters over the past week.

By Dan Walters • July 13, 2018

Commentary

Legislature may erase embarrassing boondoggle

The North Coast Railroad Authority has consumed tens of millions of taxpayer dollars but never delivered on its promise to resurrect rail service north of San Francisco Bay. Finally, the Legislature is poised to abolish it.

By Dan Walters • July 12, 2018

California Voices

Viewpoints from across California