Dan Walters

The wooden frames of houses under construction are visible on a residential street in Goshen.

Commentary

California’s pro-housing laws have failed to raise new home numbers

New housing starts were around 100,000 a year when Newsom took office in 2019; they still hover around that number today.

By

Dan Walters

• November 7, 2025

A man in a dark suit and blue tie speaks into several microphones held up by reporters outside a federal courthouse, with the building sign reading "Edward J. Schwartz Federal" visible behind him.

Commentary

Sen. Padilla elects not to run for governor, leaving a cloudy field of candidates

Sen. Alex Padilla joins other prominent people who elected to not seek California's highest office. Now there's no clear frontrunner — so far.

By

Dan Walters

• November 6, 2025

A person, wearing a black and white strip blouse, leans down as they stand in front in front of a row of blue voting booths while they cast their ballot.

Commentary

Prop. 50 passage sets off a chain of political and legal maneuvers

Potential challenges in the courts and in Washington may affect whether Prop 50 influences the 2026 political races.

By

Dan Walters

• November 5, 2025

California Governor Gavin Newsom stands on a stage holding a microphone while he speaks in front of a giant American flag next to a “Yes on 50” sign to his right.

Commentary

Prop 50 is likely a stepping stone for Newsom’s nascent presidential campaign

Gov. Gavin Newsom told an NBC reporter he's not ready to talk about a presidential run, even though a Prop. 50 win could burnish his national image.

By

Dan Walters

• November 4, 2025

Workers load packages into Amazon Rivian electric trucks at an Amazon facility in Poway, California, U.S., November 16, 2022. Photo by Sandy Huffaker, REUTERS

Commentary

Even California’s iconic industries are cutting back in this sluggish economy

Technology companies and Hollywood corporations are laying off thousands. The only job growth is in government and healthcare.

By

Dan Walters

• October 31, 2025

U.S. Vice President and Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris attends a campaign rally in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, August 20, 2024. Photo by Marco Bello, REUTERS

Commentary

Friends or enemies? Newsom and Harris could face off for president in 2028

Both Gov. Gavin Newsom and former Vice President Kamala Harris dropped hints about running for president, revealing complications in their relationship.

By

Dan Walters

• October 28, 2025

Gov. Gavin Newsom speaks at San Quentin State Prison announcing that the facility will be transformed to focus on training and rehabilitation on March 17, 2023. Photo by Martin do Nascimento, CalMatters

Commentary

Gavin Newsom’s fables create a target-rich environment for his critics

A fake Elon Musk YouTube video criticizing Newsom is a taste of the social media scrutiny he'll endure while running for president.

By

Dan Walters

• October 27, 2025

A woman speaks at a press conference while standing behind a row of microphones labeled with various news station logos, gesturing with her hands as several people stand in the background.

Commentary

California’s gerrymander and generational rift could shake up its Democratic hierarchy

If Prop 50 succeeds, Democrats' votes will be spread more thinly to five more congressional districts at the same time younger candidates challenge senior-age incumbents.

By

Dan Walters

• October 24, 2025

Construction workers use construction machinery as they work on a trench near the side of a road.

Commentary

Ballot measure would broaden reform of California’s key environmental law

Gov. Gavin Newsom and the Legislature overhauled the CEQA environmental laws for housing, but a business group wants that to include other kinds of "essential" projects.

By

Dan Walters

• October 23, 2025

Commentary

Bay Area transit measure will test voters’ taste for higher sales taxes

Backers of a Bay Area transit tax increase are preparing an initiative to put on the ballot to potentially boost some area sales taxes to 11%.

By

Dan Walters

• October 22, 2025