Dan Walters

Commentary

Would California spend billions of extra dollars to improve the wellbeing of its children?

A new scorecard gives California low marks when it comes to the wellbeing of its youth, and calls for spending billions of extra dollars to improve their outlook.

By

Dan Walters

• January 8, 2024

The Port of Los Angeles on Oct. 2, 2021. Photo by Ted Soqui, Sipa USA via AP Photo

Commentary

How California’s vital twin ports could become uncompetitive in cutthroat global trade

Southern California's twin ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach handle as much as 40% of the nation's maritime trade and support hundreds of thousands of jobs. But they are taken for granted, and could eventually lose their competitive edge.

By

Dan Walters

• January 7, 2024

Ricardo Lara, California Insurance Commissioner, speaks during a press conference with Los Angeles labor leaders and advocates in Commerce on Sept. 26, 2022. Photo by Alisha Jucevic for CalMatters

Commentary

How will California respond to the home insurance market meltdown?

California politicians face two pressing crises this year: a massive state budget deficit and the decline of the homeowner insurance market.

By

Dan Walters

• January 3, 2024

The state Capitol in Sacrament on July 6, 2022. Photo by Rahul Lal, CalMatters

Commentary

It’s a new year, but California will continue to struggle with existential issues in 2024

As California enters a new year, its most striking public policy issues remain unresolved, and an immense budget deficit will make dealing with them more difficult.

By

Dan Walters

• January 2, 2024

Gov. Gavin Newsom, with his family by his side, is sworn in for a second term as governor by Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero at the Plaza de California in Sacramento on Jan. 6, 2023. Photo by Rahul Lal, CalMatters

Commentary

Could Gavin Newsom actually mount a successful presidential campaign?

California Gov. Gavin Newsom is making a bid for national political standing, but could he actually mount a successful campaign for the White House?

By

Dan Walters

• December 24, 2023

Farmworkers harvest strawberries in Salinas on Aug. 9, 2023. Photo by Semantha Norris, CalMatters

Commentary

California’s push for labor laws can have negative consequences for workers

California legislators have been actively themselves into workplace issues such as wages and working conditions. But their actions have potentially negative side effects, as a new study showed.

By

Dan Walters

• December 20, 2023

Students at a classroom at St. HOPE’s Public School 7 Elementary in Sacramento on May 11, 2022. Photo by Miguel Gutierrez Jr., CalMatters

Commentary

How California’s school ‘dashboard’ obscures poor academic performance

California publishes a "dashboard" that grades schools on a variety of factors, but it can obscure the continuing failure of the state's K-12 system to help students meet key academic standards.

By

Dan Walters

• December 19, 2023

Commentary

California’s water wars see some breakthroughs but more clashes loom

After years of jousting among California's many water interests, there have been a few major breakthroughs recently. But other battles, such as validity of long-standing water rights, remain unsettled.

By

Dan Walters

• December 18, 2023