Dan Walters

Commentary

Inventor’s tax fight with California flares up again

Inventor Gilbert Hyatt's decades-long battle with California tax authorities is flaring up again. Hyatt sought refuge in Nevada, which has no income tax, while California tax collectors say he owes them money.

By

Dan Walters

• July 19, 2018

Kevin de Leon (left) and Dianne Feinstein (right) are shown in this composite image.

Commentary

Democratic left wing wants to jettison Sen. Feinstein

Kevin de León, a state senator who wants to unseat U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein, won the endorsement last weekend of the state Democratic Party executive committee, but she enjoys strong support from Democratic voters and is still likely to win re-election in November.

By

Dan Walters

• July 18, 2018

Commentary

California’s school war will have new political players

California's education establishment is fighting a running battle with school reformers and civil rights groups over accountability for helping "at-risk" kids, and the battle will resume after voters elect a new governor and a new state schools superintendent.

By

Dan Walters

• July 16, 2018

President Donald Trump points at the crowd during a rally.

Commentary

California vs. Trump over 2020 census

California has a big stake in results from the 2020 federal census and is battling with the Trump administration over the details, especially a new question about citizenship. California officials fear that the state's population will be undercounted.

By

Dan Walters

• July 15, 2018

Commentary

Weekly Walters 07/13/2018

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

By

Dan Walters

• July 13, 2018

Commentary

Legislature may erase embarrassing boondoggle

The North Coast Railroad Authority has consumed tens of millions of taxpayer dollars but never delivered on its promise to resurrect rail service north of San Francisco Bay. Finally, the Legislature is poised to abolish it.

By

Dan Walters

• July 12, 2018

Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom speaks after a formal endorsement from the California Democratic Party. Environmental policy could play an important role in the gubernatorial race between Newsom and John Cox.

Commentary

A supermajority that hinges on one seat

Democrats are likely to regain their two-thirds "supermajority" in the state Assembly this year. Whether they also enjoy that dominance in the state Senate depends on the outcome of one contest in rural California.

By

Dan Walters

• July 11, 2018

Commentary

Unintended consequences of new privacy law?

California legislators passed a hastily drafted bill purporting to protect Californians' personal and financial data from exposure and exploitation. But it could run afoul of the law of unintended consequences.

By

Dan Walters

• July 9, 2018

Income taxes are 70 percent of California's general-fund revenue. Image via Flickr

Commentary

Coy about taxes and pension costs

As local government officials ask voters for tax increases, they are reluctant to tell them that the extra revenue is needed to cover pension costs. But one city is not being coy about it.

By

Dan Walters

• July 8, 2018

Commentary

Weekly Walters 07/06/2018

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

By

Dan Walters

• July 6, 2018