Dan Walters

Johnny McMahan completes a transaction with a maskless customer at Bargain Liquors in Long Beach, on June 15, 2021. Starting Tuesday, California will not have rules regarding social distancing and capacity limits inside restaurants, bars, gyms or stadiums. Mandates for masks have also been lifted by the state. Pablo Unzueta for CalMatters

Commentary

Is it time for California to increase alcohol taxes?

Although Californians' overall tax burden is among the nation's highest, the state's taxes on alcoholic beverages are among the lowest.

By

Dan Walters

• April 26, 2023

Commentary

California’s lengthy battle for water rights moves into the Legislature

Pardon the pun, but 2023 could be a watershed year not only for its immense amounts of rainfall and snow but for the 173-year war for control of California's water supply.

By

Dan Walters

• April 25, 2023

The state Capitol in Sacrament on July 6, 2022. Photo by Rahul Lal, CalMatters

Commentary

New state auditor report pinpoints California’s high-tech failures

Despite California's status as the world capital of high technology, its state government has been spectacularly unable to employ technology efficiently.

By

Dan Walters

• April 24, 2023

New housing construction in a neighborhood in Elk Grove on July 8, 2022. Photo by Rahul Lal, CalMatters

Commentary

High living costs solidify California’s two-tier economy

Gov. Gavin Newsom's crusade against the oil industry over gas prices missed the larger point that the cost of nearly everything in California is very high.

By

Dan Walters

• April 23, 2023

Water flows along the All-American Canal near Winterhaven on Aug. 13, 2022. The canal conveys water from the Colorado River into the Imperial Valley. Photo by Gregory Bull, AP

Commentary

Imperial Valley nears day of reckoning for use of distressed Colorado River

As Colorado River flows decline, California's share of its water, and particularly that of the Imperial Irrigation District, face potential cutbacks by the federal Bureau of Reclamation.

By

Dan Walters

• April 19, 2023

U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein speaks in Sunnyvale on April 2, 2018. Photo by Karl Mondon, Bay Area News Group

Commentary

What would happen if Dianne Feinstein quit the Senate?

While a three-way battle to succeed U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein plays out, her recent absence from the Senate has renewed calls for her to resign and let Gov. Gavin Newsom name a successor.

By

Dan Walters

• April 18, 2023

A commuter waits for the bus to arrive at the Norwalk Green Line Station in Norwalk on April 3, 2023. Photo by Pablo Unzueta for CalMatters

Commentary

California hospitals and transit systems seek aid from deficit-ridden budget

California's politicians must contend with a multibillion-dollar budget deficit, but they also face demands from leaders of vital health care and transit services for more money to solve their fiscal woes.

By

Dan Walters

• April 17, 2023

Lawmakers on the Assembly Floor at the Capitol on March 27, 2023. Photo by Miguel Gutierrez Jr., CalMatters

Commentary

How will Newsom, legislators deal with growing revenue shortfalls?

California's budget revenues, particularly income taxes, are continuing to fall below expectations, indicating that the deficit will continue to rise, posing a political dilemma for Gov. Gavin Newsom and legislators.

By

Dan Walters

• April 16, 2023