In summary

A collection of commentaries by Dan Walters over the past week.

Two arcane ballot measures show need for reform

Two ballot propositions dealing with union-management conflicts in medical services indicate that it’s two easy to place measures before voters. Raising the signature threshold could discourage misuse.

What’s the political fallout from Kavanaugh battle?

The sensational confirmation battle over Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh will have political fallout this year, but what is still unknown.

How California shifted from pro-GOP purple to deep blue

Changing attitudes of white voters shifted California from a Republican-leaning purple state into a deeply blue bastion of resistance to Donald Trump.

California’s school ‘achievement gap’ proves persistent

California’s latest academic test results show that the “achievement gap” in public education is stubborn despite large increases in school spending.

We want to hear from you

Want to submit a guest commentary or reaction to an article we wrote? You can find our submission guidelines here. Please contact CalMatters with any commentary questions: commentary@calmatters.org

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...