Dan Walters

Dan Walters is one of most decorated and widely syndicated columnists in California history, authoring a column four times a week that offers his view and analysis of the state's political, economic, social and demographic trends. He began covering California politics in 1975, just as Jerry Brown began his first stint as governor, and began writing his column in 1981, first for the Sacramento Union for three years, then for The Sacramento Bee for 33 years and now for CalMatters since 2017. Walters is also the author or co-author of two books about California, “The New California: Facing the 21st Century” and “The Third House: Lobbyists, Money and Power in Sacramento.” He is a frequent radio show guest and occasionally appears on national television, commenting on California issues. Walters started his career in 1960 at the Humboldt Times in Eureka, California, a month before his 17th birthday, first as a newsroom aide and later as a police beat reporter. He has two adult daughters and three grandsons. Contact: Email: [email protected] Twitter: @dawalters Latest Stories 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. 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 devolved into secrecy and again needs reform. Commentary In rain, snow and drought, California's fights over water rights, supplies persist California's water rights remain a major bone of legal and political contention as the larger struggle over water allocation continues. Commentary Supreme Court could weaken California environmental law used in local housing conflicts A recent Supreme Court ruling could curtail misuse of the California Environmental Quality Act by those who oppose development. Commentary California's budget charade reflects a 15-year-long conflict over the process The June 15 constitutional deadline for California lawmakers to pass the budget may seem like a critical date, but 15 years after a series of changes, the process has become a bit of a charade. Commentary As Californians' stance on crime hardens, Republicans try to regain relevance Powerless Republican legislators have shown signs of life in California politics by focusing attention on crime as public attitudes change. Commentary California restaurants now want an exemption from the state's new hidden fees law A new law requires restaurants and other consumer businesses to fully declare their prices up front rather than adding extra fees to their final bills. New legislation - from the same author - would now exempt restaurants from that law. Commentary Free speech controversy at Sacramento high school jogs memories of my own start in journalism A recent incident at a Sacramento high school serves as a reminder that officials will often retaliate when journalists offend them. Commentary California seeks a more resilient water supply as familiar sides battle for access A new University of California study predicts that a combination of factors, including climate change, will reduce California's water supply. How will the state take action to make it more resilient?