More Pepper Spray, Please
The only problem with that UC Davis police officer’s pepper spray was his aim. He should have doused California voters — and the political and media elites who misinform them – not students. Pepper spray can do serious damage and linger for days. (I say that as someone who got sprayed himself – and also […]
Court Decision on Prop 8 Was Right – And Shows Need for Reform
When you look at the initiative process we have, it’s clear that the California Supreme Court made the right decision this week in the Prop 8 case. But the decision also shows why we need a different initiative process. The court said that initiative sponsors have standing to defend a measure in court when, as […]
We Won’t Fix What Must Be Fixed
Do you think it’s too difficult to raise taxes in California? If you do, the problem is pretty clear: the state constitution. It’s full of rules that require supermajority votes for the legislature, or local voters, to raise taxes. Do you think spending and budgeting is out of control in California? If you do, the […]
Could Limit on Genetically Modified Food Be the First Global Initiative?
The notion of citizen-initiated legislation on a global scale has always been a pipe dream. But it may be closer than you think. One signal is the filing earlier this month of a California ballot initiative to require labeling of genetically engineered food. The measure resembles proposals that have been discussed in Europe for an […]
Gays in the Military, and California’s Budget Rules
The two items in this headline would seem to have nothing to do with each other. But they do. The logic of the ban on gays in the military – which is to say the illogic of that ban – is the same illogic that has shaped the California budget process. Before the lifting of […]
Never Bet Against the Sexual Harasser
The media consensus is that Herman Cain’s goose is cooked. The reason? New accusations that he’s a sexual harasser. This of course makes no sense. Because they have a name in politics for sexual harassers. Winners. Here’s a test. Try to think of a sexually harassing politician who lost because of his behavior (or her) […]
Pension Reforms – Why Should I Care?
The current pension reform debate – with proposals from the governor and now from a team of Republicans via ballot initiative – is drawing considerable media attention. It’s hard to understand why. The debate has almost nothing to do with the broader public. The pension changes being talked about won’t change all that much or […]
The Non-Financial Problem With High-Speed Rail
The high-speed rail debate may begin and end with the price tag: $98.5 billion. But there’s another fundamental problem with the plan. It doesn’t fit California or Californians. And to say it doesn’t fit the state is to say this also: the high-speed rail plan treats California as if it’s one state. It isn’t. California […]
Initiatives Need a New Warning Label
Who needs Halloween for a good fright when so many California ballot initiatives are posted on the Secretary of State’s website? For the past week, I’ve been reading the full texts of initiatives – as well as their titles and summaries. The content of the measures and summaries aren’t that frightening on their face (though […]
Exclusive! An Interview With Realignment
The most-talked-about name in California governance hadn’t granted an interview. But a tipster in a small local hospital in California’s interior called, with directions to a little-known private wing. The name on the hospital room door said, “Serrano Priest.” I opened it. “Mr. Priest?” I asked. “Ah, hell. You found me,” came the reply from […]