Party leaders hate it. East Coast journalists think its wacky. But, in the end, California's top-two primary voting system is good for voters. That is the take from CALmatter's Dan Walters. "It does empower voters by giving them more choices than the closed primary system it replaced, and that’s not...
Primary Gives Trump and Newsom Something They Agree On
It's doubtful that President Donald Trump and California lieutenant governor and top gubernatorial vote-getter Gavin Newsom agree on anything. But as CALmatter's Dan Walters writes in his June 7 column, both men got their wish in Tuesday's election: John Cox advanced to the November gubernatorial runoff. Walters offers his analysis that...
Groundhog Day for Gov. Brown. Legacy Projects Again Face Uncertainty
As Jerry Brown enters the final months of his second go-around as Governor, the status of his two legacy projects — the twin tunnels and high-speed rail — is reminiscent of when he left office the first time. CALmatters columnist Dan Walters looks back to 1982, when Brown's original second-term wound...
The Best Story You'll Ever Read on California Taxes
Politicians, special interest groups and taxpayer advocates make all kinds of claims about California taxes. As voters gear up for the June 5 primary, they deserve to know the facts about California's tax burden — and where those public dollars are spent. Judy Lin of CALmatters digs out the facts...
California’s Rich Will Feel New $12 Billion Tax Bite: Walters
Dan Walters of CALmatters points out in his April 23 column that wealthy Californians can expect to pay $12 billion in additional federal taxes annually as a result of the tax-reform package passed by Congress and signed by President Trump this year. Like many, Walters wonders what impact the added...
The Next Speaker of the House: McCarthy or Pelosi?
Now that House Speaker Paul Ryan has announced his retirement from Congress at the end of this term, Dan Walters of CALmatters asks a logical question in his April 16th column: Will the second time be the charm for Bakersfield Congressman Kevin McCarthy? In 2015, Walters notes, "McCarthy’s bid to become speaker...
Despite Newsom's Name Recognition, He's Slow to Win Over Voters
In his Tuesday, Feb. 20 column, CALmatters' Dan Walters sizes up California's gubernatorial election as a two-man, "down to the wire" race. The two leading candidates are Democrats, Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom and former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, and they are running neck-and-neck in the most recent Public Policy...
Despite Newsom's Name Recognition, He's Slow to Win Over Voters
In his Tuesday, Feb. 20 column, CALmatters' Dan Walters sizes up California's gubernatorial election as a two-man, "down to the wire" race. The two leading candidates are Democrats, Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom and former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, and they are running neck-and-neck in the most recent Public Policy...
Dan Walters Tells It Like It Is About Sexual Harassment & Hypocritical Cal Legislature
California lawmakers finally relented last week and released records of investigations into sexual harassment involving Capitol members and employees. But CALmatters columnist Dan Walters opines in his Feb. 7 column that the state Legislature's action fell short of what is needed. "It was not a complete capitulation," Walters writes. "Records of...
Dan Walters Tells It Like It Is About Sexual Harassment & Hypocritical Cal Legislature
California lawmakers finally relented last week and released records of investigations into sexual harassment involving Capitol members and employees. But CALmatters columnist Dan Walters opines in his Feb. 7 column that the state Legislature's action fell short of what is needed. "It was not a complete capitulation," Walters writes. "Records of...