Dan Walters • CalMatters Columnist, Author at Times of San Diego

An applicant signs up for food stamps

Opinion: Linking California with the Minnesota food aid probe is a stretch

by Dan Walters • CalMatters Columnist Jan. 10, 2026, 10:00 a.m.

Veterans of political wars refer to election years as the “silly season,” when anthills of fact are converted into mountains of rhetorical fantasy.

A person giving a thumbs-up standing in front on a large American flag display.

Opinion: Politics will excite California in 2026 despite the sluggish economy

by Dan Walters • CalMatters Columnist Jan. 5, 2026, 10:00 a.m.

Entrance to the California Department of Education in Sacramento

Opinion: Lack of accountability undermines California public education

by Dan Walters • CalMatters Columnist Dec. 31, 2025, 10:00 a.m.

State capitol building

Opinion: The 2026 election cycle could be one of the oddest in California’s history

by Dan Walters • CalMatters Columnist Dec. 25, 2025, 12:00 p.m.

Workers tending crops in a large, green field with parallel rows.

Opinion: Trump sides with agriculture in California’s never-ending water wars

by Dan Walters • CalMatters Columnist Dec. 22, 2025, 10:00 a.m.

Governor Gavin Newsom speaks at a podium labeled "Election Rigging Response Act" with a crowd holding "Defend Democracy" signs behind him.

Opinion: Gov. Newsom facing distorted criticism from right-wing influencers

by Dan Walters • CalMatters Columnist Dec. 17, 2025, 10:00 a.m.

Construction site with large, curved metal frameworks and scaffolding.

Opinion: California’s cap-and-trade program gets a different mission

by Dan Walters • CalMatters Columnist Dec. 12, 2025, 10:00 a.m.

Two women preparing food in a commercial kitchen, one cutting tomatoes and the other working in the background.

Opinion: New California labor law could have unwanted consequences

by Dan Walters • CalMatters Columnist Dec. 6, 2025, 10:00 a.m.

Dana Williamson

Opinion: Dana Williamson and the secret world of Sacramento political operatives

by Dan Walters • CalMatters Columnist Dec. 3, 2025, 10:00 a.m.

A person in a blue suit pointing at a graph titled "Capital Gains" on a screen, with flags and a seal in the background.

Opinion: California tax revenue growing from AI boomlet, but will it last?

by Dan Walters • CalMatters Columnist Nov. 27, 2025, 10:00 a.m.Nov. 27, 2025, 11:08 a.m.

Marathon refinery

Opinion: Newsom changes tune on gas prices in effort to keep refineries open

by Dan Walters • CalMatters Columnist Nov. 21, 2025, 10:00 a.m.

ADU under construction

Opinion: California’s pro-housing laws have failed to boost construction

by Dan Walters • CalMatters Columnist Nov. 13, 2025, 10:00 a.m.

The House chamber before the vote on Trump's spending bill.

Opinion: Prop. 50’s passage sets off chain of political and legal maneuvers

by Dan Walters • CalMatters Columnist Nov. 8, 2025, 10:00 a.m.

A person wearing a suit and tie smiles in front a signs showing "YES ON 50"

Opinion: Prop. 50 a stepping stone for Newsom’s nascent presidential campaign

by Dan Walters • CalMatters Columnist Nov. 4, 2025, 10:00 a.m.Nov. 4, 2025, 9:42 p.m.