As I look at the California political heavens in 2019, so many names and issues shine like stars as greatly influencing the politics of the day and setting foundation stones for our political future. As always with the annual Black Bart Award, I must add—for better or worse. Proud California has its record to boast—booming […]
For the past ten years frequent contributors to this page Joe Mathews, John Wildermuth and I have nominated candidates for Californian of the Year in the world of politics. This year we will be joined by Sherry Bebitch Jeffe, long time journalist for NBC in Los Angeles and former professor at USC’s Sol Price School […]
News that the California School Boards Association pulled back their tax increase initiative leaves only one high profile measure destined for the California November ballot that will, in part, fund schools. The proposal to split the property tax roll so that most commercial property pays more in taxes will be the focus of the school […]
It appears Los Angeles taxpayers will continue paying for their health care and someone else’s—that of city workers. The Los Angeles Times reported right before the Thanksgiving holiday that, “Mayor Eric Garcetti has abandoned his long-stated goal of getting the city’s public employee unions to pay a portion of their healthcare costs.” Garcetti’s action—or non-action—could […]
As concern over courts being influenced by the country’s partisan divide fester, the California Supreme Court set an example of stepping around politics when it unanimously decided to quash California’s recent law to prohibit presidential candidates from appearing on statewide ballots without first producing their tax returns. Yet, it is the concern that court rulings […]
Gavin Newsom’s approval rating as measured in the recent Public Policy Institute of California poll is mixed at best and just might reflect attitudes toward the contradictions that abound in California. Likely voters barely approve of the job Newsom is doing by 48% to 45% while 7% did not express an opinion. With the poll’s margin […]
Once upon a time in California, voters decided that when state and local governments reaped big revenue windfalls strongly exceeding governments’ budgets, some of that excess should go back to hard working taxpayers. Voters passed a strong spending limit 40 years ago. Despite the Legislative Analyst’s Annual Fiscal Outlook Report that the state kitty should […]
Two recently issued polls reveal that homelessness is the top issue in California. Disagreement abounds on how to confront the problem but the truth is if the homeless crisis is not ameliorated there will be a political price to pay and wise politicians should understand that. The Public Policy Institute of California statewide poll revealed […]
What can we learn from the Public Policy Institute of California’s poll on tax issues probably facing voters next year? For supporters of more money for schools, there is disappointment at this time in that two of the three measures tested have not generated majority support among likely voters. Schools are supposed to be the […]
Step one in the campaign to rid California of internal combustion engine automobiles is to have the state set the example. Step one was taken last week when Gov. Gavin Newsom ordered the state to purchase only electric vehicles with exceptions for public safety. How soon before the next steps occur to prohibit internal combustion […]
