In summary

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

Should California revive redevelopment?

Seven years ago, Jerry Brown and the Legislature abolished redevelopment. There are efforts to bring it back, but Brown’s successor as governor, Gavin Newsom, has thrown cold water on the idea.

State tax reforms or state tax increases?

California’s budget is dangerously dependent on taxing a relative handful of wealthy people. Newly inaugurated Gov. Gavin Newsom says he will work on tax reform.

We pay through the nose to live in California

Gov. Gavin Newsom has recognized California’s high living costs, but government is a major driver of those costs.

A cautious budget with a bold housing plan

Newly inaugurated Gov. Gavin Newsom proposes his first budget, takes cautious approach to spending and outlines assault on housing shortage.

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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...