Dan Walters

Commentary

Four towns and four stories frame housing crunch

Four recent situations frame California's chronic inability to build enough housing to meet its demand.

By

Dan Walters

• June 5, 2022

Commentary

How Newsom would close the achievement gap in California schools

Gov. Gavin Newsom advocates "completely reimagining" California's schools to equalize academic outcomes, but will it work?

By

Dan Walters

• June 1, 2022

The entrance to Angel Stadium in Anaheim on April 12, 2022. Photo by Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports via REUTERS

Commentary

Anaheim scandal continues Southern California syndrome

A scandal unfolding in Anaheim is the latest chapter in a long-running saga about corruption in Southern California cities.

By

Dan Walters

• May 31, 2022

Sprinklers water a lawn in Sacramento on July 15, 2014. Photo by Rich Pedroncelli, AP Photo

Commentary

As drought persists, water rights on agenda

As drought continues to plague California, reconsidering water rights is becoming a topic, but change would be highly controversial.

By

Dan Walters

• May 29, 2022

California Gov. Gavin Newsom highlighted inflation and abortion while unveiling his 2022-2023 state budget revision at a news conference in Sacramento on May 13, 2022. Photo by Rich Pedroncelli, AP Photo

Commentary

Newsom, legislators given stark budget warning

California Gov. Gavin Newsom and legislative leaders are busily deciding how to spend a budget surplus, but the Legislature's budget guru advises caution.

By

Dan Walters

• May 25, 2022

California Capitol, home of the Assembly and Senate. Photo by Anne Wernikoff for CalMatters

Commentary

Legislature’s supermajorities spawn super sneakiness

Democrats control three-quarters of the California Legislature's seats and one aspect of one-party domination has been ever-increasing secrecy in the legislative process, especially on the state budget.

By

Dan Walters

• May 24, 2022

The California Legislature is dominated by Democrats, but progressives and moderates are often at odds. Photo by Miguel Gutierrez Jr., CalMatters

Commentary

Progressives vie with ‘mod squad’ for power in California Legislature

This year's California elections are a venue for the state Legislature's power struggle, pitting progressive Democrats against business -friendly moderates.

By

Dan Walters

• May 23, 2022

Gov. Gavin Newsom unveiled his 2022-2023 California budget revision during a news conference in Sacramento on May 13, 2022. AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli

Commentary

How voters put limits on state budget spending

Three voter-approved provisions of the state constitution have a major impact on how the California state budget is fashioned and they are having a big effect as the state sees a flood of new revenues.

By

Dan Walters

• May 22, 2022

Betting odds are displayed on a board in the sports book at a hotel casino in Las Vegas on May 14, 2018. Sports betting isn't legal in California, but there are efforts to legalize it. Photo by John Locher, AP Photo

Commentary

Will California voters approve betting on sports?

Four ballot measures to legalize sports wagering in California were proposed, but now it's down to two and only one might face voters this year.

By

Dan Walters

• May 18, 2022

California Gov. Gavin Newsom unveils his 2022-2023 state budget revision during a news conference in Sacramento on Friday, May 13, 2022. California is expected have a record surplus. Photo by Rich Pedroncelli, AP Photo

Commentary

Newsom’s rosy budget ignores troubling trends

Gov. Gavin Newsom's revised budget projects an astonishing $100 billion surplus due to soaring revenues but ignores some potentially very negative factors.

By

Dan Walters

• May 17, 2022