Dan Walters

A row of tents and makeshift shelters, covered with tarps and surrounded by personal belongings, lines a grassy area near a railway under an overcast sky. A person wearing a dark coat and hat moves near a white tent. In the background, a train approaches on an elevated track, and scattered items, bicycles, and blue recycling bins are visible throughout the encampment.

Commentary

Newsom tussles with local officials over homelessness

As Newsom and legislators fashion a new state budget, verbal exchanges between him and local officials about who is to blame have become sharper.

By

Dan Walters

• May 30, 2025

Students, wearing red and light brown uniforms, raise they hand while they sit in front of desks in a classroom.

Commentary

California’s war over charter schools rages on in court

Los Angeles Unified School District wants to "avoid" charter schools taking over several hundred district buildings. A judge may decide if that's legal.

By

Dan Walters

• May 29, 2025

The Senate's Appropriations Committee hearing in Sacramento on May 18, 2023. Photo by Fred Greaves for CalMatters

Commentary

Why did the California Senate shunt a cost-cutting housing bill?

The California Senate appeared to double down on making housing development more difficult and costly, shunting a bill aimed at making it easier to build housing by exempting some projects from the California Environmental Quality Act.

By

Dan Walters

• May 28, 2025

In this photo illuminated by an off-camera flash, several homeless people stand next to their tents across the street from a luxury apartment building in Los Angeles on Jan. 17, 2023. Photo by Jae C. Hong, AP Photo

Commentary

California’s high living costs and high poverty sharpen its economic divide

California went from being a state with high economic mobility and opportunity to a society starkly separated by wealth, income and race.

By

Dan Walters

• May 23, 2025

A person wearing a navy suit stands behind a lectern during a press event. The California state seal, state flag and the American flag can be seen behind them.

Commentary

Gavin Newsom’s off-the-mark budget numbers undermine his credibility again

Wrong revenue projections a few years ago led California to overspend, creating structural deficits. Now underestimated Medi-Cal costs are blowing holes in the latest proposed budget.

By

Dan Walters

• May 22, 2025

A person stands next to a white electric vehicle while it charges at a public charging station. The car is backed into a spot marked "CHARGING ONLY," and the charging cable extends from the station to the car’s rear. The person wears a dark jacket, pants, and orange sneakers, and looks down toward the ground. Bright sunlight casts distinct shadows on the pavement.

Commentary

Congress debates two issues with big implications for California: EVs and taxes

Two of the most contentious issues awaiting votes in Congress would have particularly heavy impacts on California.

By

Dan Walters

• May 21, 2025

A person wearing a navy suit stands behind a lectern with the state seal of California during a press event. A monitor with the words, "-$16B Our State Revenues" can be seen to the person's left side.

Commentary

Newsom’s budget cuts anger allies and leave the state’s chronic deficit unresolved

Major interest groups allied with the Democratic Party have been critical of Gov. Gavin Newsom's revised budget proposal since it was unveiled last week.

By

Dan Walters

• May 20, 2025

A side view of a panel with nine speakers, including politicians and labor leaders, sit on stage during a “Unionize California” event, with one person standing and speaking into a microphone. A red, white, and blue light projection spells out "UNIONIZE CALIFORNIA" on the curtain behind them. The audience is seated at round tables in the foreground.

Commentary

Democratic candidates for California governor shy away from state’s anti-oil crusade

All of the Democratic contenders for California governor promised unions they would be less aggressive than Gov. Gavin Newsom has been with oil industry.

By

Dan Walters

• May 16, 2025

California Gov. Gavin Newsom speaks at a podium during a press conference, with a monitor beside him displaying the words “TRUMP SLUMP” in bold white letters on a black background. Behind him are the U.S. and California state flags, and the podium bears the seal of the Governor of the State of California.

Commentary

Newsom blames California’s worsening state budget outlook on Trump’s tariffs

Gavin Newsom pinned California's gloomy financial picture on a "Trump slump," blaming the president's tariffs during the rollout of a revised state budget proposal.

By

Dan Walters

• May 14, 2025

Gov. Gavin Newsom during a press conference where he signed new gun legislation into law at the Capitol Annex Swing Space in Sacramento on Sept. 26, 2023.

Commentary

Newsom reveals his weaknesses when he needs political hardball to get his way

Gov. Gavin Newsom says Donald Trump is a "bully," but he's no stranger to using bullying tactics himself, especially to force local governments to obey his commands.

By

Dan Walters

• May 14, 2025