Political commentator to launch Osher lecture series

By Jillian Yalung
The Collegian

A renowned journalist will bring California politics to Fresno State students at the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute’s annual inaugural lecture tonight at the Satellite Student Union.

Sacramento Bee journalist Dan Walters is scheduled to speak about “The Politics of California.”

As a newspaper journalist for more than 45 years, Walters has been an iconic figure for discussing issues dealing with the political system in the state.

Throughout his career, Walters has written more than 6,500 columns, many of which have been on California politics.

His opinionated column appears in over 50 newspapers statewide and is also featured in many national publications.

Simon Massie, a fourth-year political science student, hopes to catch Walters tonight at the Osher lecture.

“I took a course on California politics last semester,” Massie said of his interest. “It would be interesting to hear his [Walters] opinion on the system and on the issues that are affecting our state.”

With interest in the government of California, Walters has taken his popular column to the bookshelves.

“The New California: Facing the 21st Century,” “The Third House: Lobbyists, Money and Power in Sacramento” and “California Political Almanac” are just a few books that Walters has published.

Walters’ 5:30 p.m. speech is supposed to include topics that can or do affect students at Fresno State.

Walters will touch on issues such as the gubernatorial election campaign, the initiative process, how the central San Joaquin Valley is viewed in Sacramento and California’s long-term prognosis due to the current political conditions.

This process gives California residents a voice on issues that affect them and the state.

An example of a successful initiative process would be on the topic of education.

Due to the initiative process, the government must put 40 percent of the state’s budget towards education; that is, unless California is in a state of emergency or a compelling case is brought to Congress, some of the budget for education is needed elsewhere.

“It [Initiative Process] is lacking boundaries,” Massie said, discussing his stance on the issue. “I hope that he [Walters] will discuss the issues of bringing the initiatives to the attorney general and the process in which to get them on the ballot.”

Admission for the event is $10 for the public and free to all members of the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute.

To register to attend the event, students can call the institute at (559) 278-0008.

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