Dan Walters

Commentary

Legislature ventures into entertainment industry snakepit

The Legislature is wasting its time by dealing with a squabble between entertainment industry factions.

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• June 21, 2022

The United States Supreme Court in Washington, DC. Photo by Amy Sparwasser via iStock

Commentary

U.S. Supreme Court gives business a ‘tort wars’ win

The term "tort wars" is shorthand for the perennial battles in the Legislature and other venues over the rules governing personal injury lawsuits and the U.S. Supreme Court has given business interests a partial win.

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• June 20, 2022

Residential single family homes under construction in Valley Center on June 3, 2021. REUTERS/Mike Blake

Commentary

A solution that won’t fix California’s low homeownership

California has the nation's second lowest level of homeownership but raising it depends on economic fundamentals, no political tokenism.

By

• June 19, 2022

A voter fills out their ballot at a voting site at the Hamilton School gymnasium in central Fresno on June 7, 2022. Photo by Larry Valenzuela, CalMatters

Commentary

Will California contests decide control of Congress?

Republicans need to gain five seats to retake control of the House of Representatives and it's possible that a few California contests could be decisive.

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• June 15, 2022

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

Commentary

California’s sham budget and unintended consequences

As California politicians struggle to pass a timely state budget, the law of unintended consequences kicks in.

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• June 14, 2022

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

Commentary

Has California’s top-two primary system worked?

California's top-two primary election system marked its 10th anniversary last week. Has it worked as promised?

By

• June 13, 2022

Imagen a través de iStock

Commentary

Ballot measures will dominate November election

There won't be much drama in campaigns for statewide office this year, but voters will face a clutch of high-dollar ballot measures.

By

• June 11, 2022

cityscape of San Francisco and skyline

Commentary

Voters in SF and LA voice their disgust

The deterioration of city life in San Francisco and Los Angeles motivated voters to voice their disgust in Tuesday's election.

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• June 8, 2022

Sacramento State students voting 2019 election

Commentary

California voters just not interested this year

The primary ballot lacks motivating issues or contests, so voter turnout will be very low — perhaps setting a new record.

By

• June 7, 2022

At center, Speaker of the Assembly Anthony Rendon at the dais on May 31, 2022. Photo by Miguel Gutierrez Jr., CalMatters

Commentary

Democratic factions vie for power in Assembly

Clashes between progressive and moderate Democratic factions in the California Assembly have sparked a leadership power struggle.

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• June 6, 2022