Dan Walters

The Yolo Causeway between Sacramento and Davis on Feb. 23, 2017. Photo by Steve Martarano, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Commentary

Environmental opposition to vital Sacramento-area highway project is ridiculous

A chronic highway bottleneck between Sacramento and Davis plagues a portion of Interstate 80, one of the nation's most important transcontinental routes. Environmental groups are trying to derail a project to address it.

By

Dan Walters

• July 5, 2024

Democrat presidential candidate U.S. President Joe Biden listens as Republican presidential candidate and former U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during their debate in Atlanta, Georgia, on June 27, 2024. Photo by Brian Snyder via Reuters

Commentary

248 years after America’s independence, is Biden vs. Trump the best we can do?

The battle between two very flawed presidential candidates, Joe Biden and Donald Trump, symbolizes the nation's polarized and dysfunctional politics.

By

Dan Walters

• July 4, 2024

A Shell gas station price sign displays the cost of gasoline: $5.79 per gallon for regular, $5.99 for plus, and $6.19 for V-Power. The sign is surrounded by palm trees and greenery, with a blue 'Tap, Pump, Go' payment sign nearby. A banner advertising a $9 car wash special is attached to the sign. In the background, a multi-story building with a sign reading 'Cardiovascular Institute of San Diego' stands among streetlights and urban infrastructure. Part of a car and foliage frame the image in the foreground.

Commentary

What will happen to gas prices and taxes if California shifts away from fossil fuels?

California's gas taxes increased this week, but the larger issue is what happens to gas prices and tax revenues as the state attempts to reduce greenhouse gases and move away from fossil fuels.

By

Dan Walters

• July 3, 2024

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

Commentary

California Legislature makes a flurry of big changes to November ballot measures

A wave of last-minute deals, mostly negotiated in secrecy, has changed the lineup of measures that will appear on California's November ballot.

By

Dan Walters

• July 2, 2024

A homeless encampment on W Street and Alhambra Boulevard in Sacramento on April 11, 2023.

Commentary

Under Newsom’s governorship, homelessness crisis still haunts California

Homelessness has plagued Gavin Newsom's political career ever since he was mayor of San Francisco. Under his governorship, it has continued haunting him.

By

Dan Walters

• June 28, 2024

Associate Justice Martin J. Jenkins, from left, listens to arguments with Associate Justice Leondra R. Kruger, Associate Justice Carol A. Corrigan, Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero, Associate Justice Goodwin Liu, Associate Justice Joshua P. Groban, and Associate Justice Kelli M. Evans at the Supreme Court of California in San Francisco on May 8, 2024. The California Supreme Court heard arguments Wednesday about whether to remove a measure from the November ballot that would make it harder for state and local governments to raise taxes. Photo by Jeff Chiu, AP Photo

Commentary

Did political bias actually influence California court ruling on anti-tax ballot measure?

Proponents of a ballot measure to limit tax increases claimed the California Supreme Court had political motives in a recent ruling that removed it from the ballot. A careful reading of the decision indicates otherwise.

By

Dan Walters

• June 27, 2024

Commentary

Newsom’s State of the State address looked like a presidential campaign launch

California Gov. Gavin Newsom's very belated State of the State address sounded like a 2028 presidential campaign kickoff.

By

Dan Walters

• June 26, 2024

Gov. Gavin Newsom addresses the media during a press conference unveiling his 2024-25 January budget proposal at the Secretary of State Auditorium in Sacramento on Jan. 10, 2024. Photo by Miguel Gutierrez Jr., CalMatters

Commentary

California’s self-inflicted fiscal crisis produces a budget full of gimmicks and favors

California Gov. Gavin Newsom and legislative leaders have struck a deal to close a budget deficit, but it was ultimately a self-inflicted crisis, and the budget remains unbalanced when the gimmicks and reserves are taken out.

By

Dan Walters

• June 25, 2024

Attorney Margaret R. Prinzing, representing representing the California Governor and Legislature, standing, speaks at the California Supreme Court in San Francisco, Wednesday, May 8, 2024. The California Supreme Court heard arguments Wednesday about whether to remove a measure from the November ballot that would make it harder for state and local governments to raise taxes. Photo by Jeff Chiu, AP Photo

Commentary

California Democrats score big win as Supreme Court blocks anti-tax ballot measure

The California Supreme Court blocked a pending ballot measure that would have made it more difficult to raise taxes, adding another chapter the state's history of writing laws through the ballot.

By

Dan Walters

• June 20, 2024

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

Commentary

California’s budget process has once again become secretive and needs reform

California's budget process was reformed 50 years ago to make it more transparent. After several changes since 2010, it's devolved into secrecy and again needs reform.

By

Dan Walters

• June 20, 2024