Dan Walters

Legislative budget leaders announced a deal on Tuesday. Image via iStock

Commentary

How should California spend its big budget surplus?

California's treasury is awash in money, even as the state's overall economy is sluggish, and the debate is beginning over how to spend the huge surplus.

By

Dan Walters

• November 22, 2021

Commentary

‘Achievement gap’ still plagues California schools

In 2013, California's system of financing public schools was overhauled in an effort to close the "achievement gap," but we still don't know whether it's working.

By

Dan Walters

• November 21, 2021

Commentary

Paying so much to earn so little

Why do California students take on immense debts for college educations that result in jobs that pay so little? Call it "diploma creep."

By

Dan Walters

• November 17, 2021

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

Commentary

How long will Newsom govern by decree?

California Gov. Gavin Newsom could continue to govern by decree indefinitely, eroding the American concept of democracy.

By

Dan Walters

• November 16, 2021

Commentary

California’s messier, but fairer, redistricting process

For the second time, an independent commission is drawing new congressional and legislative districts for California and it's been a messy process.

By

Dan Walters

• November 15, 2021

A worker welds. As California attracts higher-educated workers, it is running out of blue-collar labor. Photo via iStock

Commentary

California’s high unemployment rate may be too low

California's unemployment rate, 7.5%, is the nation's highest, but may vastly understate Californians' true economic distress.

By

Dan Walters

• November 14, 2021

Commentary

Newsom is upbeat, but Californians are worried

Gov. Gavin Newsom describes California's economy as surging and "dominant" but a new poll indicates that most Californians don't agree.

By

Dan Walters

• November 10, 2021

Commentary

California gets small share of infrastructure bill

California may get $45.5 billion from the new federal infrastructure program, but it's small potatoes in a relative sense.

By

Dan Walters

• November 9, 2021

Commentary

Vaccine holdouts undermine COVID-19 battle

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers is a high-profile example of those who refuse to get vaccinated for the COVID-19 virus and undermine efforts to end the pandemic.

By

Dan Walters

• November 8, 2021

Commentary

California needs details on hydrocarbon-free future

If, as Gov. Gavin Newsom proclaims, California will be hydrocarbon free, he needs to explain how it will happen and what the effects on Californians' lives will be.

By

Dan Walters

• November 7, 2021