In summary

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

A cross-continental game of political chicken

One of the most significant of the many conflicts between California and President Donald Trump is over auto fuel economy standards.

Newsom faces his first defining crisis

Gov. Gavin Newsom says he has a plan to resolve California’s wildfire crisis that threatens the state’s utilities. His political standing may hinge on its outcome.

Arbitrary tax policy spawns an offspring

California politicians dislike Donald Trump’s federal; tax overhaul but are adopting portions of it to raise revenue.

Does spending more on schools pay off?

California’s ongoing debate over K-12 education usually centers on money, but data indicate that spending more doesn’t necessarily translate into better academic achievement.

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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...