Dan Walters,
CalMatters Commentary

Dan Walters has been a journalist for nearly 60 years, spending all but a few of those years working for California newspapers. He has written more than 9,000 columns about the state and its politics and is the founding editor of the “California Political Almanac.” Dan has also been a frequent guest on national television news shows, commenting on California issues and policies.

Stories by Dan Walters

SoCal’s Huge Logistics Industry Faces Backlash Over Wages and Pollution

■The logistics industry, which expanded in recent decades, has created hundreds of thousands of jobs. ■Most of these jobs are low-skill and ...

/ 1 week ago

CA Leaders Must Address Falling Enrollment & Rising Absenteeism in Public Schools

■California’s public schools depend on state aid for the lion’s share of their funding. ■Declining enrollment and high absenteeism are creat...

/ 1 week ago

California’s Political Flash in US Senate Will Fade When Two Journeymen Occupy Its Seats

■The recent primary election suggests Adam Schiff will likely occupy Dianne Feinstein’s former Senate seat. ■Schiff’s arrival al...

/ 2 weeks ago

Orange County Feud Shows How School Boards Are a Key Front in Culture Wars

■California’s educational structure evolved with roles for state and county superintendents. ■Conflicts arise in public education, hig...

/ 2 weeks ago

California Spends Billions on Homelessness Yet the Crisis Keeps Getting Worse

■Despite billions spent, the homelessness crisis worsens. ■Underlying causes like high housing costs and mental illness persist. ■An indepen...

/ 2 weeks ago

Newsom’s Popularity Drops, but Second Recall Drive Is Doomed to Failure

■Californians are divided over Gavin Newsom’s leadership. ■Newsom’s approval rating has dropped among independent voters. ■Recal...

/ 2 weeks ago

Solar panels being installed on a home.

California Utilities Winning in Battle to Reduce Rooftop Solar Incentives

The emails arrived just minutes apart on Monday. The first, from a group called Affordable Clean Energy for All, proclaimed “CPUC Takes Step...

/ 2 years ago

Falling Enrollments May Force California Districts to Close Neighborhood Schools

The 1970s and 1980s were a tumultuous time for California’s public schools, to wit: —A tidal wave of kids from the post-World War II baby bo...

/ 2 years ago

Biden Helps Unions Attack California Pension Reform

Jerry Brown signed thousands of legislative bills during his two eight-year stints as California’s governor but two stand out as fundamental...

/ 2 years ago

Valley School District Shows the Way to Narrowing Learning Gap

Nearly a decade ago, the Legislature and then-Gov. Jerry Brown overhauled school financing with the declared goal of closing a stubborn “ach...

/ 2 years ago

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4 days ago

Realtor Association Settles Lawsuit on Commission Rules. Fresno Broker Fears the End of Market Transparency

4 days ago

Prosecutor Leaves Georgia Election Case Against Trump After Relationship With District Attorney

4 days ago

Rory McIlroy’s 65: 10 Birdies, 2 Tee Shots in the Water, 1 Testy Dispute

4 days ago

Aaron Donald Announces His Retirement After a Standout 10-Year Career With the Rams

4 days ago

New Book Explores the Myths, Truths and Legacy of the Macho Man

4 days ago

Baseball Superstar Ohtani and His Wife Arrive in South Korea for Dodgers-Padres MLB Opener

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