Dan Walters

California Capitol, home of the Assembly and Senate. Photo by Anne Wernikoff for CalMatters

Commentary

It’s déjà vu for affirmative action proponents

Proponents of Proposition 16, which would reinstate affirmative action, are trailing badly and once again are playing the Ku Klux Klan card.

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• October 27, 2020

California Capitol, home of the Assembly and Senate. Photo by Anne Wernikoff for CalMatters

Commentary

Left wing wants to cancel Dianne Feinstein

The Democratic Party's left wing wants to cancel Dianne Feinstein, a fixture of California politics for six decades.

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• October 26, 2020

California Capitol, home of the Assembly and Senate. Photo by Anne Wernikoff for CalMatters

Commentary

California’s vague new financial regulation law

California has a new financial regulation law but its reach is vague and awaits more definition.

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• October 25, 2020

California Capitol, home of the Assembly and Senate. Photo by Anne Wernikoff for CalMatters

Commentary

When will California schools reopen?

Some California schools are reopening but most kids remain at home and adults are squabbling over when and if they can get back into the classroom.

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• October 21, 2020

California Capitol, home of the Assembly and Senate. Photo by Anne Wernikoff for CalMatters

Commentary

A double whammy for jobless workers

California has a stubbornly high unemployment rate and slow handling of benefit claims increases the pain of jobless workers.

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• October 20, 2020

California Capitol, home of the Assembly and Senate. Photo by Anne Wernikoff for CalMatters

Commentary

City wagers on entertainment may backfire

California's COVID-19 recession is having a devastating effect on local bond issues for sports and entertainment venues.

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• October 19, 2020

California Capitol, home of the Assembly and Senate. Photo by Anne Wernikoff for CalMatters

Commentary

Blackouts reveal lapses in power supply

Power blackouts in August proved California's need for a bigger supply cushion — and indicated that transition to a carbon-free future will not be easy.

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• October 18, 2020

California Capitol, home of the Assembly and Senate. Photo by Anne Wernikoff for CalMatters

Commentary

Veto hurts educations of at-risk kids

California allocates money to raise the educational levels of at-risk students but the money is being diverted into other purposes and Gov. Gavin Newsom's veto of a bill allows the diversions to continue.

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• October 14, 2020

California Capitol, home of the Assembly and Senate. Photo by Anne Wernikoff for CalMatters

Commentary

Misusing taxpayers’ money for campaigns

Local California officials routinely and illegally misuse taxpayer funds for political campaigns and only one agency tries to stop it.

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• October 13, 2020

California Capitol, home of the Assembly and Senate. Photo by Anne Wernikoff for CalMatters

Commentary

Another vague decree from Newsom

California Gov. Gavin Newsom has issued another sweeping order on climate change but again, it lacks specificity.

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• October 12, 2020