Dan Walters

Rifles and shotguns on display at a gun shop in Fresno County on July 12, 2022. Photo by Larry Valenzuela, CalMatters/CatchLight Local

Commentary

Newsom’s new gun control bill just a stunt

A bill that California Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed, supposedly exposing gun manufacturers to lawsuits, is really a political stunt to bolster Newsom's feud with Texas and Florida.

By

Dan Walters

• July 27, 2022

Big Lots! went big on help wanted sign as signs around the region are getting the cold shoulder from workers reluctant to resume service-industry jobs in Moreno Valley on July 5, 2021. Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG

Commentary

California’s economic recovery slowing down

California is continuing to recover from the severe recession that COVID-19 sparked in 2020, but the rate of recovery is slowing and there may be a recession on the horizon.

By

Dan Walters

• July 26, 2022

The Assembly floor at the state Capitol on May 31, 2022. Photo by Miguel Gutierrez Jr., CalMatters

Commentary

Will California Legislature allow its workers to unionize?

California's Democratic politicians bend over backwards to help their union allies recruit and retain dues-paying members but so far have killed efforts to allow legislative employees to join a union.

By

Dan Walters

• July 25, 2022

Commentary

New attack on Proposition 13 involves racial inequity

California's iconic property tax limit, Proposition 13, has survived attempts to repeal or change it for 44 years, but a new study claims that it's a racist tool and calls for changes.

By

Dan Walters

• July 24, 2022

A rendering of the proposed California High-Speed Rail. Courtesy of the California High-Speed Rail Authority

Commentary

Troubled bullet train project given a reprieve

California's much-troubled bullet train project has gotten a reprieve with a political deal to free up $4.2 billion in bond money but it still faces years of uncertainty over its fate.

By

Dan Walters

• July 20, 2022

California Gov. Gavin Newsom (right) and Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn. walk together at the US Capitol in Washington, on July 14, 2022. Photo by J. Scott Applewhite, AP Photo

Commentary

Was Gavin Newsom running for president last week?

California Gov. Gavin Newsom's three-day visit to Washington last week fueled media speculation that he is laying the groundwork for a presidential campaign.

By

Dan Walters

• July 19, 2022

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

Commentary

Politicians punch holes in California’s sunshine laws

California's "sunshine laws," such as the Brown Act, require public agencies to do their business publicly, but pending legislation would punch loopholes.

By

Dan Walters

• July 18, 2022