Dan Walters

Workers sort California income tax returns at the Franchise Tax Board office in Sacramento on April 18, 2017. Photo by Rich Pedroncelli, AP Photo

Commentary

Trump killed a tax break popular in California. Now he agrees with Pelosi and wants to restore it

Under then-President Donald Trump a popular federal income tax deduction was capped at $10,000 a year, costing Californians thousands of dollars. Now he's ready to cut the cap.

By

Dan Walters

• September 27, 2024

An inmate stands against a fence at the Adjustment Center yard at San Quentin State Prison in San Quentin on Dec. 29, 2015. Photo by Stephen Lam, Reuters

Commentary

Did California’s shift to counseling rather than punishing felons prevent later crimes? The data’s thin.

A new report on the success of California's "second chance" programs at discouraging felons from reoffending after Proposition 47 relies on diluted data.

By

Dan Walters

• September 26, 2024

Students walk through campus at Sacramento City College on Feb. 23, 2022. Photo by Miguel Gutierrez Jr., CalMatters

Commentary

Hitch in higher ed master plan: California’s colleges still don’t work well together

California's master plan for the University of California, California State University and dozens of community colleges to work cooperatively never panned out. It's time to change it.

By

Dan Walters

• September 25, 2024

Commentary

California’s expensive explosion of real estate fraud hits home

The real estate industry's embrace of online transactions, rather than hard copy documents, has given scammers opportunities for fraud costing homebuyers millions.

By

Dan Walters

• September 24, 2024

City Councilmembers Gil Cedillo, left, and Kevin de Leon sit behind desk in the council chambers in Los Angeles. A small, light blue and yellow Ukrainian flag sits between them.

Commentary

In California’s one-party system, political family feuds fill competitive vacuum

Now that Democrats are on top, it's evident that in the absence of two-party competition feuds erupt within the parties themselves.

By

Dan Walters

• September 20, 2024

A security guard stands by the front entrance of a luxury retail storefront in downtown San Francisco on April 15, 2024. Retail theft has plagued the area, and numerous storefronts sit vacant. Photo by Loren Elliott for CalMatters

Commentary

Californians back measure to crack down on crime despite Newsom’s opposition

A poll shows most voters support for Prop. 36, a sign Gavin Newsom's governorship is approaching lame duck status.

By

Dan Walters

• September 19, 2024

A person kneels down to the floor to pet a small dog at surrounded by tents, bikes and other items at a homeless encampment at a parkway.

Commentary

Disorganization, city-county feuds impede California’s efforts to reduce homelessness

State officials can't tell what reduces homelessness due to program secrecy and a lack of coordination between city and county governments.

By

Dan Walters

• September 18, 2024

An ARCO station sign on the left foreground side of the frame showing gas prices ranging from $4.09 to $4.69 per gallon near a Sinclair station across the street with prices ranging from $3.99 to $4.59 per gallon.

Commentary

Gavin Newsom can’t prove price gouging at the pump but wants new refinery law

Gov. Gavin Newsom has called the Legislature into special session to deal with gas prices but offers scant evidence to back his allegations of price-gouging.

By

Dan Walters

• September 17, 2024

Commentary

California’s dysfunctional ‘dashboard’ of school ratings finally gets a well-deserved beatdown

Years ago, California education officials adopted a "dashboard" to inform the public about what was happening in public schools, but it was never very useful and now faces withering criticism.

By

Dan Walters

• September 13, 2024

Students line up on the first day of school at Loma Vista Elementary School in Salinas on Aug. 8, 2023. Photo by Semantha Norris, CalMatters

Commentary

California schools face twin perils: chronic absenteeism and declining enrollment

California's public schools face a one-two punch of decreasing enrollment and increasing truancy, which contribute to their financial distress.

By

Dan Walters

• September 12, 2024