Dan Walters

Mattresses lay on top of each other in a makeshift playground at Stockton Park Village in Stockton on Nov. 22, 2022. Bob Riley, 87, lives in the area where he states that the owner let the park go and garbage hasn't been picked up for months. Photo by Rahul Lal, CalMatters

Commentary

Once again, California beats every other state when it comes to poverty

California has the unenviable position of having the nation's highest level of poverty, a new calculation shows, driven by its sky-high living costs. It's not the first time and likely won't be the last.

By

Dan Walters

• September 11, 2024

A person, wearing a light blue blouse, is led out of a building by another a law enforcement official while handcuffed.

Commentary

Convicted rapist Andrew Luster granted parole before California lawmakers close loophole

A 2016 penal reform ballot measure proposed by then-Gov. Jerry Brown had loopholes that eventually benefitted perpetrators of sex crimes. The Legislature recently voted to close one loophole that allowed notorious serial rapist Andrew Luster to be granted parole.

By

Dan Walters

• September 10, 2024

Commentary

Warehouse regulation bill attracts strange bedfellows in support and opposition

Culminating years of debate over the environmental impacts of Southern California's massive array of warehouses, the Legislature has passed a bill regulating future construction.

By

Dan Walters

• September 6, 2024

A plot of land with vehicles and various belongings staggered around while three people stand nearby a cart with items.

Commentary

California has spent billions on homelessness but lacks hard data on outcomes

California officials point fingers of blame at each other over the growing homelessness crisis, but hard data on how money has been spent and what effect it's had is lacking.

By

Dan Walters

• September 5, 2024

Viewed through a narrow, black sliver, Gov. Gavin Newsom stands at a podium while at a press conference.

Commentary

Gavin Newsom returns to his duties in California and finds his status has diminished

Now that his campaign for national prominence has ended, Gov. Gavin Newsom is learning his status in California also has taken a beating.

By

Dan Walters

• September 4, 2024

Prospective employers and job seekers interact during during a job fair in the West Hollywood section of Los Angeles on Sept. 22, 2021. Photo by Marcio Jose Sanchez, AP Photo

Commentary

California’s economy lags behind other states, here’s why it’s so sluggish

California's economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic has been sluggish and a new analysis blames poor state policy choices.

By

Dan Walters

• September 3, 2024

San Francisco City Hall lit up red, white and blue for Election Day on Nov. 3, 2020. Photo by Anne Wernikoff for CalMatters

Commentary

In Los Angeles County and San Francisco, government reform is on the ballot

In November voters in Los Angeles and San Francisco will decide whether to overhaul the structure of their local government.

By

Dan Walters

• August 30, 2024

A person in a kitchen at a fast-food restaurant prepares a meal, while in the foreground, four trays sit on a counter.

Commentary

California’s fast food workers got a $20 minimum wage, but is it working? It’s debatable

After months of political maneuvering and negotiations, California's fast food workers got a minimum wage hike. Whether that resulted in fewer jobs is still in dispute.

By

Dan Walters

• August 29, 2024

Commentary

With 28 months to go, will Newsom now pay more attention to his day job?

In his second term, Newsom still has 28 months as governor. Will he pay more attention to his governance record, or will he continue his quest for national relevance?

By

Dan Walters

• August 28, 2024

Gov. Gavin Newsom, wearing a navy blue suit, claps as other attendees behind him hold signs that read "We love Joe."

Commentary

As Kamala Harris ascends to presidential nominee, Gavin Newsom’s political future remains cloudy

With Vice President Kamala Harris anointed as the nominee for president, Gov. Gavin Newsom's presidential ambitions, if any, are blocked at least for the time being.

By

Dan Walters

• August 27, 2024