Dan Walters

Commentary

California’s school crisis gets short shrift

California's huge public school system is in crisis, with declining academic achievement and financial squeezes, but Gov. Gavin Newsom new budget gives it short shrift.

By

Dan Walters

• January 11, 2022

Commentary

Should state provide health care to everyone?

The notion of creating a single-payer, state-managed health care system for 40 million Californians is on the political agenda again.

By

Dan Walters

• January 10, 2022

California State Auditor Elaine Howle listens to questions from lawmakers during a Joint Committee on Legislative Audit hearing on workers’ compensation

Commentary

Once again, California auditor finds high-tech failures

Elaine Howle has retired as California's auditor but left behind a report that once again castigates the state's failures in implementing high technology.

By

Dan Walters

• January 9, 2022

Commentary

California can’t isolate itself, try as it might

California relishes its self-proclaimed propensity for leading-edge policymaking, but there are drawbacks to going it alone.

By

Dan Walters

• January 5, 2022

Commentary

Legislature faces difficult politics of plenty

As California deals with new waves of crime and COVID-19, the Legislature reconvenes and must decide how to spend a multi-billion-dollar windfall of tax revenues.

By

Dan Walters

• January 4, 2022

California Capitol, home of the Assembly and Senate. Photo by Anne Wernikoff for CalMatters

Commentary

California redistricting won’t change Democrats’ control

Newly redrawn congressional and legislative districts will create turnover in political offices, but changing faces will not alter the balance of power in California.

By

Dan Walters

• January 3, 2022

A worker installs solar panels in Hayward on April 29, 2020. AP Photo/Ben Margot

Commentary

Big utilities winning battle over solar power

The California Public Utilities Commission probably will side with major utilities by reducing payments to owners of rooftop solar systems for their excess power.

By

Dan Walters

• December 15, 2021

Commentary

Enrollment declines squeeze local school finances

History may be repeating itself as California's public school enrollment declines, putting the squeeze on the finances of local school systems.

By

Dan Walters

• December 14, 2021

Commentary

Biden helps unions attack California pension reform

One of former Gov. Jerry Brown's major achievements was a reform of California public employee pension system but President Joe Biden's administration is backing union efforts to undermine the law.

By

Dan Walters

• December 13, 2021

Commentary

Some schools are closing ‘achievement gap’

California's educational "achievement gap" remains wide, but some local school systems are seeing success.

By

Dan Walters

• December 12, 2021