Democratic voters more centrist than their party

The recent state Democratic Party convention was dominated by the party’s left-wing activists, but the broader array of Democratic voters doesn’t lean as far to the port.

Bill reduces ballot measure transparency

A new bill would water down the requirement that local governments be upfront on the taxation effects of their tax and bond ballot measures.

New workers’ compensation battle on horizon

Once a decade, powerful interests do battle over the system compensating workers for job-related disabilities and a new clash may be on the horizon.

Big caveats in new state budget

While politicians tout the state’s new budget, there are some very large caveats attached to it.

Dan Walters is one of most decorated and widely syndicated columnists in California history, authoring a column four times a week that offers his view and analysis of the state’s political, economic,...