Dan Walters

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

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.

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.

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.

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

The Legislature is wasting its time by dealing with a squabble between entertainment industry factions.

The term "tort wars" is shorthand for the perennial battles in the Legislature and other venues over the rules governing personal injury lawsuits and the U.S. Supreme Court has given business interests a partial win.

California has the nation's second lowest level of homeownership but raising it depends on economic fundamentals, no political tokenism.

Republicans need to gain five seats to retake control of the House of Representatives and it's possible that a few California contests could be decisive.

As California politicians struggle to pass a timely state budget, the law of unintended consequences kicks in.