Commentary

Commentary

Required vote for local tax increases in legal limbo

As dozens of local governments ask their voters for tax increases this year, the laws governing tax elections are in a state of legal flux. A test case on the vote requirements for local taxes involves a tax for children's services approved by San Francisco voters in June.

By Dan Walters • September 2, 2018

Commentary

Weekly Walters 08/31/2018

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

By Dan Walters • August 31, 2018

Commentary

My turn: Working people must have a voice in our future

Income inequality skyrockets as more of our nation’s gains go to an increasingly smaller group. Workers need a seat at the table. The future of work must not be determined by the wealthiest among us.

By Guest Commentary • August 30, 2018

Commentary

Proposed tax dodges could hurt California taxpayers

As Legislature nears adjournment for the year, two bills would counter federal tax reform's limit on deducting state and local taxes by granting converting some of them into charitable contributions. However, the Internal Revenue Service is warning that such work-arounds would not be allowed.

By Dan Walters • August 30, 2018

Commentary

Proposition 6: Unfair gas tax or needed revenue for road repair

Proposition 6 would repeal a 12-cent per gallon gasoline tax. Former San Diego City Councilman Carl DeMaio calls it an unfair tax on working people. Skip Carter, a former Highway Patrol official, says it will make roads safer.

By Guest Commentary • August 29, 2018

Commentary

Rep. Hunter indicted, but still reelection favorite

Republican Congressman Duncan Hunter and his wife have been indicted for misusing campaign funds, but his name will still be on the November ballot in the 50th Congressional District and he's still favored to win re-election. If Duncan resigns after winning, it would set up a special election.

By Dan Walters • August 29, 2018

Commentary

Bail reform bill stretches the 72-hour notice law

The fast-track handling of a controversial bail proposal tests a California law. Passed as a ballot measure in 2016, that law requires a bill to be in print and on the Internet for 72 hours before legislators vote on it.

By Dan Walters • August 27, 2018

Commentary

Biomass energy

Bill Walzer, Berkeley California Public Utilities Commission President Michael Picker writes that the “current level of forest activities probably isn’t enough to supply biomass facilities with an economically viable flow of fuel from high-hazard areas and is insufficient to meet forest management needs within those same fire-prone regions.” Pessimism about using biomass from cleaning up […]

By Reader Reactions • August 26, 2018

Commentary

A ‘low-profile’ revolution’ changes local governments

There's a "low-profile revolution" is underway in California's thousands of local governments as lawsuits force more of them to abandon "at-large" voting for members of their governing boards and elect them, instead, from districts. It's a result of a 2002 law, the California Voting Rights Act, that makes it easier to overturn at-large systems.

By Dan Walters • August 26, 2018

Commentary

Green jobs

Alan Kandel, Fresno Unquestionably. California greenhouse gases peaked in 2004 hitting 492.9 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions, up from 431metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions in 1990. The level in 2016, the last year for which data is available, according to the latest California Air Resources Board data: 429.4 metric tons of […]

By Reader Reactions • August 24, 2018