Dan Walters

A view of San Francisco on July 12, 2023. Photo by Semantha Norris, CalMatters

Commentary

California plays whack-a-mole with cities resistant to building much-needed housing

The ongoing conflict between state officials in California and local governments over housing resembles a game of Whac-A-Mole.

By

Dan Walters

• December 17, 2023

Commentary

Progressives frustrated by failure to enact their agenda in deep blue California

Although Democrats dominate California's politics, left-leaning organizations feel frustrated in their efforts to remake the state.

By

Dan Walters

• December 13, 2023

A security guard attempts to seize a Palestinian flag from protesters calling for a ceasefire of Israeli bombing in Gaza at the California Democratic Convention in Sacramento on Nov. 18, 2023. Photo by Miguel Gutierrez Jr., CalMatters

Commentary

How the Israel-Hamas war is dividing California’s Democrats and academics

The ongoing war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza is having a divisive impact on Democratic politics and in academia and California is a forum for the debates.

By

Dan Walters

• December 12, 2023

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

Commentary

Politicians refused to fix California’s boom-and-bust tax system. They now face a $68 billion deficit

California politicians have steadfastly refused to deal with the volatile revenues that plague the state budget. They now face a whopping $68 billion deficit.

By

Dan Walters

• December 11, 2023

A construction site for a segment of High Speed Rail outside of Hanford on Oct. 20, 2023. Construction has started a 171-mile starter segment connecting Central Valley’s Bakersfield and Merced. Photo by Larry Valenzuela, CalMatters/CatchLight Local

Commentary

Newsom morphs from bullet train skeptic to booster, but his criticisms remain valid

A newly elected Gov. Gavin Newsom was skeptical about completing California's bullet train project, but he's morphed into a booster. However, his reservations about the project remain valid.

By

Dan Walters

• December 10, 2023

Students complete classwork at Stege Elementary School in Richmond on Feb. 6, 2023. Photo by Shelby Knowles for CalMatters

Commentary

Successful reading skills upgrade offers a lesson for California politicians

A new study found that spending $53 million on upgrading the reading skills of third graders had a positive effect. It's a lesson that politicians should heed.

By

Dan Walters

• December 6, 2023

Gov. Gavin Newsom unveils his revised budget proposal for 2023-24 during a press briefing at the state Natural Resources Agency in Sacramento on May 12, 2023. Photo by Rahul Lal for CalMatters

Commentary

Economic reality bites as Newsom faces a big California budget problem

California Gov. Gavin Newsom declared that the state's economy is "booming" in a recent debate. A new report shows that it is actually slowing, and that the governor faces a huge budget problem as income tax revenues lag behind.

By

Dan Walters

• December 5, 2023

Gov. Gavin Newsom leaves the stage after addressing attendees at his inauguration for a second term at the Plaza de California in Sacramento on Jan. 6, 2023. Photo by Rahul Lal, CalMatters

Commentary

Newsom chides Ohio GOP for trying to change voting rules yet adopts the same tactics

Gov. Gavin Newsom criticized Ohio Republicans for trying to change voting rules to thwart an abortion rights ballot measure, but he's doing the same thing to kill a business-backed measure making it more difficult to raise taxes.

By

Dan Walters

• December 3, 2023

Journalists watch Florida Governor and Republican presidential candidate Ron DeSantis debate California Governor Gavin Newsom on a screen in the media room, in Alpharetta on November 30, 2023. Photo by Elijah Nouvelage, Reuters

Commentary

Cowboys vs. Seahawks game was a better show than Newsom vs. DeSantis

California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis faced off in a televised debate Thursday night. Those who opted for the Dallas vs. Seattle football game got a better show.

By

Dan Walters

• December 1, 2023

From left, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and California Gov. Gavin Newsom. Photos by Rebecca Blackwell, AP Photo and Miguel Gutierrez Jr, CalMatters

Commentary

Newsom vs. DeSantis: A real debate on the issues or just more mudslinging?

After months of long-distance exchanges, California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis will have a face-to-face debate on Thursday. Will it be a mature conversation or just more mudslinging?

By

Dan Walters

• November 29, 2023