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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

Newsom Jabs at Trump and Musk, but Will AI Make California More Efficient?

This commentary was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters. Gov. Gavin Newsom staged a news conference in Los Ang...

/ 2 days ago

Given Its Failures, Can California Manage a Transition to a Carbon-Free Future?

This commentary was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters. It’s become painfully obvious in recent years that Ca...

/ 2 weeks ago

California’s Economy Was Already Sluggish Before Trump’s Global Tariffs

This commentary was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters. Last week, Gov. Gavin Newsom and Attorney General Rob...

/ 2 weeks ago

Other States Do Housing Better Than California; a New Study Shows How They Do It

This commentary was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters.Overwhelmingly Californians rate the intertwined issue...

/ 4 weeks ago

LA Feud Is Prime Example of Constant Clashes Between CA Cities and Counties

This commentary was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters. When California became a state in 1850, it had fewer ...

/ 4 weeks ago

In California’s Capitol, Some Political Fights Span Decades

This commentary was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters. Were we able to transport ourselves back in time 50 y...

/ 1 month ago

As Dem Candidates for Governor Increase, They Wait for Harris to Decide

This commentary was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters. Irish playwright Samuel Beckett’s tragicomedy “Waitin...

/ 1 month ago

If California Bails Out LA’s $1 Billion Budget Deficit, Beware the Slippery Slope

This commentary was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters. As fate would have it, the very destructive and deadl...

/ 1 month ago

The Real Crisis in California Schools Is Low Achievement, Not Cultural Conflicts

This commentary was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters. When Gov. Gavin Newsom unexpectedly voiced opposition...

/ 1 month ago

A Hyundai Ioniq 6 at an Electrify America charging station in Oakland on Feb. 27, 2024. (CalMatters/Camille Cohen)

If Zero-Emission Cars Cut Gasoline Sales and Tax Revenue, How Will California Replace Them?

By Dan Walters CalMattersThis commentary was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters. When California motorists fi...

/ 1 month ago

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U.S. dollar banknotes are seen in this illustration taken May 4, 2025. (REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration)

5 minutes ago

Dollar Slides Against Peers Weighed Down by Fresh Tariff Worries

The Rivian logo is shown on one of their new electric SUV vehicles in San Diego, U.S., December 16, 2022. (REUTERS/Mike Blake/File Photo)

8 minutes ago

Rivian to Build $120 Million Supplier Park in Illinois

President Donald Trump announces the NFL draft will be held in Washington, at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., May 5, 2025. (REUTERS/Leah Millis)

14 minutes ago

Trump Signs Order Restricting Research That Enhances Pathogens

Asylum seeking migrants, mostly from Venezuela and Cuba, wait to be transported by U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents after crossing the Rio Grande river into the U.S. from Mexico at Eagle Pass, Texas, U.S., July 14, 2022. (REUTERS/Go Nakamura/File Photo)

20 minutes ago

US Appeals Court Rejects Trump Bid to Revoke 400,000 Migrants’ Legal Status

2 hours ago

Trump Orders the Reopening of Alcatraz Prison

2 hours ago

Will CA Law Change to Allow Councilmembers to Govern While on Military Duty?

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