Dan Walters

A large group of people hold signs and march outside a building during a protest. A person wearing a Monopoly man mask, and holding a sign with a visual of a money bill and the face of a politician on it, stands out among the crowd.

Commentary

California businesses and left-leaning groups clash on the ballot and in court

This year's contests of businesses versus liberal groups include corporate and wealth tax proposals and requirements for greenhouse gas emission reports.

By

Dan Walters

• March 4, 2026

A white train in makes it's way down train tracks towards a station with a person waiting. The San Francisco skyline can be seen in the background.

Commentary

Los Angeles and Bay Area voters will decide whether to hike already high sales taxes

San Franciscans will consider a percentage point increase in the sales tax while Bay Area and LA-area voters will be asked for a half a percentage point.

By

Dan Walters

• March 3, 2026

A person wearing glasses and a black jacket stands in front of a wooden podium, speaking into a microphone, during a press conference at the site of a wildfire, as tractors work behind them, moving debris. Other people surround them, all wearing construction helmets and safety vests.

Commentary

LA Mayor Karen Bass deflects blame, adds insult to injury for wildfire victims

The Los Angeles Times reports Mayor Bass has been pressuring fire officials to soften or downplay findings in reports about the city's wildfire response.

By

Dan Walters

• February 27, 2026

A close-up view of a student as they write on a whiteboard as an instructor watches in a classroom with brightly colored decorations. The student uses a marker to write math equations as the students watch and learn.

Commentary

California’s reading reforms drive push for better math skills in early grades

Some of the supporters of the phonics curriculum California adopted last year are now urging statewide math screening for young students.

By

Dan Walters

• February 25, 2026

A classroom full of high school students sits facing a whiteboard and projected slide titled “Algal bloom” during a biology lesson. The teacher, wearing a mask and cap, stands at the front of the room gesturing toward the board. Students take notes on laptops and notebooks, with posters and educational materials visible on the walls.

Commentary

Californians finally get a guide to deciphering state’s school data dashboard

A nonprofit created a reader-friendly explainer of California school district ratings, a decade after the state created its confusing data dashboard.

By

Dan Walters

• February 24, 2026

A close-up view of people's hands typing or scrolling on their laptops at an event.

Commentary

Silicon Valley flexes financial muscle in governor’s race and wealth tax battle

Compared to other sectors of California's economy, Silicon Valley hasn't doled out as much campaign money or hired as many lobbyists — until now.

By

Dan Walters

• February 20, 2026

A person sits on a chair near a table with joint hands resting near their chin.

Commentary

Jesse Jackson had a complicated relationship with fellow political personage Jerry Brown

When Rev. Jesse Jackson shared a stage with CA Gov. Jerry Brown, the two didn't always support each other's aspirations behind the scenes.

By

Dan Walters

• February 19, 2026

People stand at the steps of a school during a strike. The photo focuses on a person holding up their left hand in a fist while they hold a sign that reads "we can't wait" in Spanish with the other hand.

Commentary

California school systems face red ink despite boosts in education spending

While the state borrows $5.6 billion from education, districts throughout the state are struggling to balance their own budgets this year.

By

Dan Walters

• February 18, 2026

A lawmaker — with salt-and-pepper colored hair and wearing a black suit — looks straight forward as the silhouettes of two people cover the foreground of the frame. Other people and the American flag can be partially seen behind the lawmaker.

Commentary

Here’s how Newsom’s spending binge outstripped revenues, creating California’s chronic deficit

Obscure charts show how California's spending exploded under Newsom, far outstripping its stagnant population growth, inflation and a hefty increase in revenues.

By

Dan Walters

• February 13, 2026

Amazon SMF1 facility in Sacramento on Sept. 25, 2023.

Commentary

Could taxing multinational corporations erase California’s budget deficits? Not likely

As Gov. Gavin Newsom gears up for a presidential run, other California Democrats are weighing tax hikes to counter budget deficits and federal cutbacks.

By

Dan Walters

• February 12, 2026