Dan Walters

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

Commentary

In his second budget, Gov. Gavin Newsom is spending more and saving less - an approach that the Legislature's budget expert says could leave the state less able to stave off a recession's impacts.

By

Dan Walters

• February 17, 2020

Commentary

How’s the March 3 primary working out?

Does moving California's presidential primary election to March make the state more relevant? Not so far.

By

Dan Walters

• February 16, 2020

Commentary

Vocational ed makes a comeback

What used to be called vocational education is making a comeback as education officials recognize the needs of students and the larger society.

By

Dan Walters

• February 13, 2020

Commentary

Wakeup call: Housing construction drops

Although Gavin Newsom promised to jump-start housing construction in California, his first year as governor saw production decline.

By

Dan Walters

• February 12, 2020

Commentary

Fraud infects disability system

Fraud is rampant in California's system of compensating workers for employment-related disabilities and its' concentrated in Southern California.

By

Dan Walters

• February 10, 2020

Commentary

Has Newsom settled water wars?

Gov. Gavin Newsom has unveiled the "framework" of a long-sought compromise on divvying up water in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta.

By

Dan Walters

• February 9, 2020

Commentary

California’s stubborn ‘achievement gap’

Two recent critiques of the state's efforts to raise academic achievement by disadvantaged students indicate that reality is beginning to rear its ugly head.

By

Dan Walters

• February 6, 2020

Commentary

PG&E seizure: Real threat or a bluff?

Gov. Gavin Newsom is threatening a stake seizure of Pacific Gas & Electric if it doesn't meet his demands for change. Is it real or just a bluff.

By

Dan Walters

• February 5, 2020

Commentary

Capitol grinds up major housing bill

A Senate bill to make housing more affordable by overcoming local resistance to high-density construction, dies, a victim of NIMBYism.

By

Dan Walters

• February 3, 2020

Commentary

‘California for All’ vs. daunting reality

Gov. Gavin Newsom says he wants a "California for All" that closes its economic gaps, but the reality is daunting and at the moment, the gaps are growing wider.

By

Dan Walters

• February 2, 2020