Dan Walters

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

Commentary

President Gavin Newsom?

Gov. Gavin Newsom's budget presentation indicates anew that he wants to become president.

By

Dan Walters

• January 15, 2020

Commentary

More entitlements as economy slows?

Gov. Gavin Newsom wants to ramp up spending on "entitlements" but the state's economy is showing signs of slowing.

By

Dan Walters

• January 13, 2020

Commentary

The politics of slow population growth

State and federal demographers differ on California's population and the 2020 census will settle the conflict. California could lose a congressional seat due to slow population growth.

By

Dan Walters

• January 12, 2020

Commentary

Winnowing legislative grain from chaff

Separating the Capitol's grain (serious legislation) from the chaff (symbolic fluff) is now always easy.

By

Dan Walters

• January 9, 2020

Commentary

Where political action is — and isn’t — in 2020

Although it's a presidential election year, most of California's significant political action will be elsewhere on the ballot.

By

Dan Walters

• January 8, 2020

Commentary

These issues need attention

Hundreds of bills will be introduced in the Legislature this year but there are a few items that should top the session's agenda.

By

Dan Walters

• January 6, 2020

Commentary

Promises made, but not kept

California politicians often make sweeping policy decrees, then fail to check how the money to implement the policies is spent.

By

Dan Walters

• January 5, 2020

Commentary

Court helps insider dealing

The state Supreme Court is making it easier for conflicts of interest in local bond issue transactions to go undetected. Think: baseball.

By

Dan Walters

• January 2, 2020

Commentary

New year, old issues

It's a new year and a new decade, but California still faces a mélange of contradictions.

By

Dan Walters

• January 1, 2020

Commentary

Bullet train follies

Another chapter in the California bullet train saga as the state contemplates upgrades to San Joaquin Valley section now under construction.

By

Dan Walters

• December 23, 2019