Commentary
Newsom tussles with local officials over homelessness
As Newsom and legislators fashion a new state budget, verbal exchanges between him and local officials about who is to blame have become sharper.
Dan Walters
Commentary
California’s war over charter schools rages on in court
Los Angeles Unified School District wants to "avoid" charter schools taking over several hundred district buildings. A judge may decide if that's legal.
Commentary
Why did the California Senate shunt a cost-cutting housing bill?
The California Senate appeared to double down on making housing development more difficult and costly, shunting a bill aimed at making it easier to build housing by exempting some projects from the California Environmental Quality Act.
Commentary
California’s high living costs and high poverty sharpen its economic divide
California went from being a state with high economic mobility and opportunity to a society starkly separated by wealth, income and race.
Commentary
Gavin Newsom’s off-the-mark budget numbers undermine his credibility again
Wrong revenue projections a few years ago led California to overspend, creating structural deficits. Now underestimated Medi-Cal costs are blowing holes in the latest proposed budget.
Commentary
Congress debates two issues with big implications for California: EVs and taxes
Two of the most contentious issues awaiting votes in Congress would have particularly heavy impacts on California.
Commentary
Newsom’s budget cuts anger allies and leave the state’s chronic deficit unresolved
Major interest groups allied with the Democratic Party have been critical of Gov. Gavin Newsom's revised budget proposal since it was unveiled last week.
Commentary
Democratic candidates for California governor shy away from state’s anti-oil crusade
All of the Democratic contenders for California governor promised unions they would be less aggressive than Gov. Gavin Newsom has been with oil industry.
Commentary
Newsom blames California’s worsening state budget outlook on Trump’s tariffs
Gavin Newsom pinned California's gloomy financial picture on a "Trump slump," blaming the president's tariffs during the rollout of a revised state budget proposal.
Commentary
Newsom reveals his weaknesses when he needs political hardball to get his way
Gov. Gavin Newsom says Donald Trump is a "bully," but he's no stranger to using bullying tactics himself, especially to force local governments to obey his commands.