Dan Walters

California State Auditor Elaine Howle provides an overview of her office’s findings on worker’s compensation for the Joint Committee on Legislative Audit

Commentary

Will California’s auditor remain independent?

California has two agencies that act as watchdogs on state government, the Legislative Analyst's Office and the State Auditor. The current auditor, Elaine Howle, is retiring and appointing her successor will reveal whether her office's invaluable independence will be maintained.

By

Dan Walters

• October 27, 2021

Big Lots! went big on help wanted sign as signs around the region are getting the cold shoulder from workers reluctant to resume service-industry jobs in Moreno Valley on July 5, 2021. Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG

Commentary

Newsom glosses over California’s sluggish recovery

California Gov. Gavin Newsom continues to paint a rosy picture of vigorous economic recovery, but employment data says otherwise.

By

Dan Walters

• October 26, 2021

Commentary

California sees wave of political corruption

California has been seeing a surge of political corruption cases in recent years, mostly involving veteran politicians who have a possessive attitude about their positions.

By

Dan Walters

• October 25, 2021

Commentary

It’s time to get serious about water crisis

It's time to get serious about California's precarious water supply, and it will require dealing with some very tough issues.

By

Dan Walters

• October 24, 2021

Commentary

Will big changes shape up California schools?

Big things are happening in California's public schools but whether they improve the educations of nearly 6 million children is still unclear.

By

Dan Walters

• October 20, 2021

Tents erected beneath the Hollywood Freeway during a rainstorm in Los Angeles. Photo by Matt Tinoco, KPCC

Commentary

Who will govern much-troubled Los Angeles?

California's largest city, Los Angeles, is a study in social and economic crises but politicians are lining up to become its next mayor.

By

Dan Walters

• October 19, 2021

Commentary

California’s gas lawn equipment ban hits the little guys

A new California law to eliminate gasoline-powered lawn equipment sounds reasonable, but it messes with the lives of small landscapers.

By

Dan Walters

• October 18, 2021

Commentary

Post-pandemic California: Comeback or decline?

Is California making a big comeback from pandemic, as Gov. Gavin Newsom insists, or is it facing decline? New studies frame the issue.

By

Dan Walters

• October 17, 2021

Commentary

California bullet train funds stalemated

Costs are rising for California's much-troubled bullet train project and Gov. Gavin Newsom is having trouble getting more construction money from the Legislature.

By

Dan Walters

• October 13, 2021

Commentary

Newsom, Legislature push the state leftward

Gov. Gavin Newsom has closed the book on the Legislature's 2021 session by signing 770 bills, many of which exemplify a progressive social agenda.

By

Dan Walters

• October 12, 2021