Dan Walters

Los Angeles City Councilmember) Mark Ridley-Thomas gives a speech during the first celebration of Juneteenth as a federal holiday held at the re-opening of Leimert Park in Los Angeles on June 19, 2021. Photo by Ted Soqui, SIPA USA via Reuters

Commentary

LA politicians fiddle around as the city smolders

As Los Angeles continues to deteriorate, the city's politicians are preoccupied with an internal power struggle over who will fill the seat of a city councilman under indictment for corruption.

By

Dan Walters

• July 11, 2022

Rifles for sale at Firearms Unknown in Oceanside on April 12, 2021. Photo by Bing Guan, Reuters

Commentary

California gun laws face legal assault

The U.S. Supreme Court's decision striking down a New York gun control law could also erase much of California's toughest-in-the-nation array of gun laws.

By

Dan Walters

• July 10, 2022

Gov. Gavin Newsom speaks during the State of the State in Sacramento on March 8, 2022. Photo by Miguel Gutierrez Jr., CalMatters

Commentary

Is Gavin Newsom eyeing the White House?

California Gov. Gavin Newsom's recent words and actions are fueling national media speculation about his becoming a presidential candidate.

By

Dan Walters

• July 6, 2022

Laptop with wrench and screwdriver on screen. The state's Employment Development Department has been besieged by technical glitches as it staggers under the weight of jobless claims. Image via iStock

Commentary

California’s chronic technology woes will be probed

California's state government has a sorry record on using information technology to make agencies more efficient, and a new audit aims to find out why.

By

Dan Walters

• July 5, 2022

Students listen to their teacher during their first day of transitional kindergarten at Tustin Ranch Elementary School on Aug. 12, 2021. Paul Bersebach/The Orange County Register via AP

Commentary

Will more school money improve academic outcomes?

California schools are getting a big infusion of financing, but it's uncertain whether more money will translate into better academic outcomes.

By

Dan Walters

• July 3, 2022

Commentary

How taxes are decided in California

Two pending California budget-related bills, one to tax lithium extraction and another to reduce taxes on marijuana, demonstrate the arbitrary nature of tax policy

By

Dan Walters

• June 29, 2022

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

Commentary

Newsom, legislators fast-track state budget deal

California Gov. Gavin Newsom and legislative leaders negotiated a new state budget in secret and then began the enactment process while giving the public very little time to figure out what they are doing.

By

Dan Walters

• June 28, 2022

The Legislature often wades into questions about who can perform what when it comes to Californians' medical care. Here, a physician assistant examines a patient at a clinic in Bieber on July 23, 2019. Photo by Anne Wernikoff for CalMatters

Commentary

Raw politics determine Californians’ medical care

Medical care is California's largest economic sector, which means it draws much attention in the Legislature, including detailed laws on who can perform medical procedures and how health care insurers cover those procedures.

By

Dan Walters

• June 27, 2022

Commentary

Recession could wreck California’s spending plans

California Gov. Gavin Newsom and legislative leaders are negotiating how to spend a huge projected budget surplus, but recession could spoil all of their plans.

By

Dan Walters

• June 26, 2022

Gas prices at a downtown San Jose gas station on Wednesday, May 4, 2022.Photo by Karl Mondon, Bay Area News Group

Commentary

Gas prices trigger Pavlovian political promises

California politicians are vowing to do something about high gasoline prices but what remains very uncertain.

By

Dan Walters

• June 22, 2022