Dan Walters

A close-up view of the San Mateo County seal engraved into a circular metal plate that is hung up against a wooden-panel wall.

Commentary

San Mateo County lawsuit exposes California’s penchant for state budgeting tricks

The tools and tricks employed to close California's budget deficits come from an inventory of techniques developed over decades. A recent lawsuit spotlighted a strategy used in 2004.

By

Dan Walters

• September 5, 2025

A transit train passes a construction project in downtown Los Angeles on March 6, 2017. Photo by Mike Blake, Reuters

Commentary

New California law to make housing projects easier can also make them cost more

The legislation removes environmental delays but includes language that could allow local governments to add "vehicle miles traveled" fees to a project's cost.

By

Dan Walters

• September 4, 2025

Social media applications on a smartphone screen. Photo via iStock Photo

Commentary

Courts keep striking down California laws infringing on free speech, gun rights

As Newsom and other California Democrats posture as saviors of democracy, they are no stranger to infringing on constitutional rights themselves, as recent court rulings on gun rights and free speech show.

By

Dan Walters

• September 3, 2025

New housing construction in Elk Grove on July 8, 2022. Photo by Rahul Lal, CalMatters

Commentary

Nine years later, California court saga over $23,420 housing fee remains unsettled

George Sheetz could never have imagined a routine administrative transaction levied on a home-building project would turn into a legal dispute that reached the U.S. Supreme Court and remains unresolved almost a decade later.

By

Dan Walters

• August 29, 2025

Students at Stege Elementary School complete classwork using tablets in Richmond on Feb. 6, 2023. Photo by Shelby Knowles for CalMatters

Commentary

California schools reverse truancy trends. Improving reading scores could be next

California's public schools have struggled to improve test scores in recent years. A return to phonics instruction could turn the tide on reading, a move that comes as many schools overcome pandemic-era absenteeism.

By

Dan Walters

• August 28, 2025

A person in an orange dress stands on stage speaking into a microphone and gesturing with one finger raised, while six other panelists sit in chairs behind them. A large projected message on the curtain reads “UNIONIZE CALIFORNIA” in red and white.

Commentary

With candidates bowing out, California’s gubernatorial race remains wide open

Two of the most prominent potential Democratic candidates have checked out of the California governor's race, and those who remain in the field are — in political terms — middleweights at best.

By

Dan Walters

• August 27, 2025

Commentary

The stakes for a redistricting war differ between Newsom and Californians

The stakes for the November special election to gerrymander California are enormous.

By

Dan Walters

• August 26, 2025

The Chevron refinery in Richmond is located behind a nearby neighborhood on Feb. 21, 2024. Photo by Loren Elliott for CalMatters

Commentary

Renewal of California cap and trade program to cut emissions is fraught with issues

There are several issues to resolve in the remaining weeks of California's legislative session. Many are fraught with political conflict, but the cap and trade program is particularly complex.

By

Dan Walters

• August 22, 2025

Lawmakers on the Assembly floor on April 29, 2024. Photo by Miguel Gutierrez Jr., CalMatters

Commentary

California’s politicians overlook potential pitfalls in their zeal for new laws

Someone could — and should — write a book about the seemingly countless incidents of adverse consequences in the decrees issued by California legislators and governors.

By

Dan Walters

• August 21, 2025

Construction on the state Capitol in Sacramento on April 29, 2024. Photo by Miguel Gutierrez Jr., CalMatters

Commentary

California’s finances face a perfect storm. It could eventually lead to another tax hike

The structural deficit afflicting California's budget is fueling preliminary cogitating over a tax increase of some kind, which would probably have to be ratified by voters this decade.

By

Dan Walters

• August 20, 2025