Commentary

Two ballot propositions dealing with union-management conflicts in medical services indicate that it's two easy to place measures before voters. Raising the signature threshold could discourage misuse.

Communities across California have given ratepayers not-for-profit alternatives to corporate utility companies, allowing them to choose cleaner power that directly benefits their cities and towns. However, the California Public Utilities Commission could derail the expansion of local clean energy programs with a proposal that would limit choices and lead to higher prices for ratepayers.

The sensational confirmation battle over Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh will have political fallout this year, but what is still unknown.

Proposition 12: Pro-Proposition 12 would strengthen California law and ensure that meat and eggs produced and sold here come from cage-free conditions. Con-Proposition 12 is a poorly written initiative that will result in supply disruptions, price spikes and a shortage of eggs, and turn food inspectors into meat police.

As a California Public Utilities Commissioner, I am obligated to ensure that the choices made by one group of electric customers don’t have adverse financial impacts on other customers who lack similar available opportunities. In the competitive, complex and technical world of electricity generation that’s not a simple task. But that's what the CPUC will vote on this Thursday.

Changing attitudes of white voters shifted California from a Republican-leaning purple state into a deeply blue bastion of resistance to Donald Trump.

Voter turnout will be the political wildcard in Orange County. Since 2000, Orange County’s voter turnout in midterms has been on average 21 points lower than in presidential elections. A low turnout this year would be a throwback to the “old” Orange County electorate—more Republicans and whites. A high turnout would reflect the “new” Orange County—more Democrats, independents, and nonwhites. Voter turnout will be the political wildcard in Orange County. Since 2000, Orange County’s voter turnout in midterms has been on average 21 points lower than in presidential elections. A low turnout this year would be a throwback to the “old” Orange County electorate—more Republicans and whites. A high turnout would reflect the “new” Orange County—more Democrats, independents, and nonwhites.

California's latest academic test results show that the "achievement gap" in public education is stubborn despite large increases in school spending.

Frank Schetter, Sacramento It seems very easy for some teachers to indicate that they would like to have their retirement investments free of companies such as GEO Group, CoreCivic, and General Dynamics. That’s all well and good. The problem as I see it is that there are no ramifications for the teacher who was quoted, Adrianna Betti. If […]

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