Dan Walters

Commentary

California has big void in educational information

California is one of the few states that don't require comprehensive reports on students' academic achievement, which makes it impossible for policymakers to know what's working in the schools and what's not.

By

Dan Walters

• August 16, 2018

A picture of a California DMV office is shown. | Photo: Flickr/Michael Ocampo

Commentary

Long waits at DMV? Not for Capitol insiders

State legislators complain about hours-long waits at Department of Motor Vehicles offices, but refuse to audit the agency to determine causes and enjoy having a private DMV office to serve their needs. The situation fuels public disdain for state and local officials.

By

Dan Walters

• August 15, 2018

Commentary

DMV a hot mess, but politics block audit

The state Department of Motor Vehicles is being sharply and justifiably criticized for hours-long waits for service, but intervention by Gov. Jerry Brown's office blocked a study of DMV operations by the state auditor's office.

By

Dan Walters

• August 13, 2018

Commentary

Trump pulls California’s chain over auto mileage

California and President Donald Trump are at war again, this time over the administration's plan to freeze nationwide auto mileage standards and withdraw California's ability to set its own auto emission rules.

By

Dan Walters

• August 12, 2018

Commentary

Weekly Walters 08/10/2018

A collection of commentaries by Dan Walters over the past week.

By

Dan Walters

• August 10, 2018

Commentary

Brown’s being tricky about filling Supreme Court seat

A seat on the state Supreme Court has been vacant for 17 months and Gov. Jerry Brown has been coy about filling it. He seems to be waiting until an Aug. 30 deadline for placing names on the ballot, thus shielding his appointee from facing voters until 2022.

By

Dan Walters

• August 9, 2018

California Gov. Gavin Newsom and state Democratic lawmakers are at odds over a budget compromise. Photo by Jeff Turner

Commentary

Big issues mean big trouble at end of legislative session

Californians should be wary when the Legislature makes big decisions in the hectic last days of its annual session and this year is no exception.

By

Dan Walters

• August 8, 2018

Commentary

Despite law, politicians use taxpayer funds for campaigns

California law bars state and local officials from using taxpayer money for political campaigns. But it's become a common practice, especially when voters are being asked to raise taxes.

By

Dan Walters

• August 6, 2018

Commentary

Warm and fuzzy book about Browns falls short

"The Browns of California," a new book about the state's dominant political family, falls short by omitting facts that don't square with the family's images.

By

Dan Walters

• August 5, 2018

Commentary

Weekly Walters 08/03/2018

A collection of commentaries by Dan Walters over the past week.

By

Dan Walters

• August 3, 2018