Dan Walters

Senate Bill 861 is a prime example of how budget "trailer bills" are misused to bypass the usual legislative process.

While Gov. Gavin Newsom claims a global role in the immigration crisis, how he handles a more prosaic crisis in the Department of Motor Vehicles could have a greater effect on his political career.

Local officials still don't like having to tell voters how proposed bond issues will affect their property taxes and may seek relief from the Legislature.

A collection of commentaries by Dan Walters over the past week.

California community colleges are under pressure to improve outcomes for their students but college officials complain that the data being used to measure progress are faulty.

The California Chamber of Commerce has been remarkably successful for two decades in defeating or neutralizing bills it places on its annual list of "job killers," but the Capitol's ambiance is changing and continuing that record may be more difficult.

A state Supreme Court decision tightening the definition of an employee has become a big legislative issue, putting Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez in the spotlight.

Managerial miscues plague state government, as three new audit reports confirm. They imply that fixing existing problems should take precedence over launching new services and programs.

A collection of commentaries by Dan Walters over the past week.

Using public funds for political campaigns is illegal but it's a widespread practice in California. New legislation would put teeth in the law by authorizing the Fair Political Practices Commission to enforce it.