California is one of the few states that don’t require comprehensive reports on students’ academic achievement, which makes it impossible for policymakers to know what’s working in the schools and what’s not.
State legislators complain about hours-long waits at Department of Motor Vehicles offices, but refuse to audit the agency to determine causes and enjoy having a private DMV office to serve their needs. The situation fuels public disdain for state and local officials.
The state Department of Motor Vehicles is being sharply and justifiably criticized for hours-long waits for service, but intervention by Gov. Jerry Brown’s office blocked a study of DMV operations by the state auditor’s office.
California and President Donald Trump are at war again, this time over the administration’s plan to freeze nationwide auto mileage standards and withdraw California’s ability to set its own auto emission rules.
Dan Walters has been a journalist for more than 60 years, spending all but a few of those years working for California newspapers. He began his professional career in 1960, at age 16, at the Humboldt Times...
More by Dan Walters
Weekly Walters 08/17/2018
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In summary
A collection of commentaries by Dan Walters over the past week.
California has big void in educational information
California is one of the few states that don’t require comprehensive reports on students’ academic achievement, which makes it impossible for policymakers to know what’s working in the schools and what’s not.
Long waits at DMV? Not for Capitol insiders
State legislators complain about hours-long waits at Department of Motor Vehicles offices, but refuse to audit the agency to determine causes and enjoy having a private DMV office to serve their needs. The situation fuels public disdain for state and local officials.
DMV a hot mess, but politics block audit
The state Department of Motor Vehicles is being sharply and justifiably criticized for hours-long waits for service, but intervention by Gov. Jerry Brown’s office blocked a study of DMV operations by the state auditor’s office.
Trump pulls California’s chain over auto mileage
California and President Donald Trump are at war again, this time over the administration’s plan to freeze nationwide auto mileage standards and withdraw California’s ability to set its own auto emission rules.
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Dan WaltersOpinion Columnist
Dan Walters has been a journalist for more than 60 years, spending all but a few of those years working for California newspapers. He began his professional career in 1960, at age 16, at the Humboldt Times... More by Dan Walters