Fox and Hounds Daily Says Goodbye
With this article, we end publication of Fox and Hounds Daily. It has been a satisfying 12½ year run. When we opened in May 2008, our site was designed to offer an opportunity to those who wished to engage in public debate on many issues, especially in politics and business, but found it difficult to get placed in newspaper op-ed pages.
Co-publishers Tom Ross, Bryan Merica and I have kept F&H going over this time investing our own time, funding, and staff help. Last year at this time we considered closing the site, however with an election on the horizon we decided to keep F&H going through the election year. With the election come and gone, and with no sense of additional resources, we have decided to close the site down.
Fox and Hounds will live on, at least, with my articles collected in the California State Library.
On a personal note, I have spent over 40 years in California policy and politics. There have been some incredible high moments and some difficult low points. It pains me that politics too often is a blood sport, frequently demonizing the motives of opponents and using the legal system as a weapon in public discourse. At Fox & Hounds, we tried to adhere to the practice of giving all a voice in the debate, yet keep the commentaries civil and avoided personal attacks.
F&H offered the opportunity to publish different perspectives (even ones that criticized my writings!). We had success as indicated by the Washington Post twice citing Fox and Hounds Daily one of the best California political websites and many other positive affirmations and comments received over the years.
Tom, Bryan and I want to thank our many readers and writers for being part of our journey. The publishers of Fox and Hounds Daily believe that we added value to California and its people. We hope you agree.
California in the Black Without Prop 30 Tax Hikes
When Gov. Jerry Brown kicked off the campaign for Proposition 30, his tax hike solution to California’s spending problems, he predicted a doomsday scenario if the tax measure failed.
“What do we do?” Brown wondered in the summer of 2012. “Do we dismantle the schools? Do we end the Highway Patrol? Do we open the prison doors?”
California voters, after $40 million of fear-mongering by Brown and his union allies, finally relented. But it turns out the quarter-cent increase in the state sales tax and four new income tax brackets weren’t needed after all. (more…)
A Very Early Start is Appropriate for Governor
It may seem a bit strange that Gov. Gavin Newsom has already declared he is running for governor in 2018, more than three and a half years before the actual election. Or it may just seem strategic, given the advantages of getting out in front in a state that doesn’t pay much attention to politics.
But let’s also be clear – starting early in running for governor of California is also the right thing to do.
Right in the moral sense, right in the sense of being appropriate, right in the sense of preparation. (more…)
UC Students Call for Divestment Could Become Entangled in Tuition Debate
The University of California Student Association board voted to support a resolution to divest from companies that do business in certain countries including the United States. While college students often make statements and take action on political matters, the timing of this advocacy could see the action become tangled up with the ongoing debate over tuition increases and funding for the University of California system.
The vote was in conjunction with the on-going Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement designed to divest from companies doing business in Israel. Student governments at UC Irvine, UC San Diego, UC Berkeley, UC Riverside, UCLA and UC Davis have already passed nonbinding resolutions supporting divestment.
While the resolutions have no power, students intend to make an issue of divestment with the Board of Regents. (more…)
Minorities Have Big Stake in Oil Industry Success
Special interests pushing for oil extraction taxes seem to falsely think the oil and gas industry does not pay its fair share. Let’s set aside the reality that consumers will ultimately pay higher oil taxes and focus on the truth that in California alone, oil and gas companies paid more than $22 billion in state and local taxes in 2012.
Kern County has become the focal point in just how much energy companies’ tax revenues play in local government budgets. Kern County Supervisors recently declared a fiscal emergency due to a $61 million drop in property taxes as a result of falling oil prices.
In order to triage this rapid unexpected revenue loss, local officials are tapping their reserve funds and looking at budget savings within fire services. The County Fire Department must absorb nearly one-third of this budget hit. (more…)
Secession Pushers Once Again Taking Center Stage
Secession is a word we do not bandy around lightly. The last meaningful attempt was in 1860, when within three months of President Abraham Lincoln’s election; seven states lead by South Carolina decided to leave the Union. Ultimately 11 states took that path thus helping to trigger the Civil War.
Before the outbreak of the war, southern Californians sympathetic to the Confederate cause actually approved a plan to secede from northern California, though the drive fizzled.
But a growing number of modern day variations on the idea of secession have taken root once again and some adventurous social engineers and politicians are advocating radical revisions of the American map. (more…)
Presidents’ Day Holiday
Fox and Hounds Daily is taking the day off to celebrate Presidents’ Day.
And speaking of presidents, if you have some time on the holiday, might we suggest–
Please visit www.joelfox.com to learn more.