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.
Brown the Juggler
Jerry Brown, the adroit political juggler, was on full display during his Inaugural Address/State of the State Speech yesterday keeping in the air at the same time the notion of more spending while also tossing about the importance of fiscal responsibility.
Brown acknowledged the uncertainty and potential expenses the state faces with the some of the programs the legislature and governor set in place. “Along with education, health and human services constitute a major part of what state government does. And in the past few years we have made massive commitments in this area, which will require increasing levels of spending, the full extent of which is not yet known.”
Brown briefly touched on his favored bullet train project without discussing funding hurdles. He spent much time extolling ideas to better the environment without a nod to the costs and adverse effects on the economy such moves might bring, although he did advise “pragmatic caution” in moving his environmental agenda forward. (more…)
Governor Unveils Ambitious Transportation and Energy Plans
Governor Brown’s two-for-one speech yesterday was short on a policy agenda but long on economic implications.
Combining his fourth inaugural address with his 2015 state-of-the-state speech, the Governor reeled off the expected catalog of accomplishments and challenges. Of the few new initiatives proffered, two would profoundly affect the California economy.
The Governor spoke of the “importance in having the roads, highways and bridges in good enough shape to get people and commerce to where they need to go,” estimating that the state has deferred maintenance and upkeep needs of $59 billion. “Each year, we fall further and further behind,” he warned, “and we must do something about it.” (more…)
This Morning’s High-Speed Rail Groundbreaking in Fresno: One Backstory
Groundbreakings of major California infrastructure projects (transit, water, roadways) are usually Potemkin village affairs, populated by politicians who have had little to do with the project that was in development for many years by their (usually absent) predecessors.
This morning’s groundbreaking in Fresno for the California High Speed Rail system should at least feature current elected and appointed officials who legitimately have been the prime movers of the project, including Governor Jerry Brown , Congressman Jim Costa, and Authority Chair Dan Richard. As is well-known, there is no high speed rail project in California without Governor Brown and Congressman Costa. Less-known, Authority Chair Richard’s role in the past four years quietly and seriously traveling the Central Valley meeting with rotary clubs, chambers of commerce, agricultural groups, and seemingly any groups of two or more Valley residents to win local support. (more…)
Food Tourism Brings Home the Bacon for California’s Economy
The restaurant industry has become a significant driver of tourism throughout California. Restaurants are contributing to the state’s record-breaking travel and tourism industry growth, creating jobs and providing local and state tax benefits. The intersection of restaurants and travel is critical to the ongoing strength and success of our economy.
The reason is simple: When it comes to choosing a destination, travelers are increasingly letting their taste buds decide. No longer is dining a secondary thought in the California experience. When considering how we can continue the momentum of California’s economic recovery and create great jobs, it is important to recognize the opportunities presented by culinary tourism.
California’s lifestyle, innovation and culture are appealing and irresistible to visitors, and the region’s unique culinary experience is a growing attraction. This trend is likely to continue as food, farms and farmers are celebrated and the farm-to-fork movement accelerates. (more…)
The “Lawmakers” are Back
Here’s a New Year’s resolution for legislators returning to Sacramento from the holiday break: make fewer laws and get rid of some of the old ones.
Eager legislators have plenty of ideas how to “fix” problems. Therefore, many pieces of legislation are introduced. A great number will become law. California saw about 950 new laws on the books on January 1. Last year there were about 800 new laws and the year before hundreds more — you get the idea. Over a decade the state adds thousands and thousands of new laws.
No one can possibly understand all the laws. Even in debating the measures the lawmakers themselves can’t keep up. A few decades ago, state senator H. L. Richardson wrote a book titled, What Makes You Think We Read the Bills? (more…)
California Office Pool 2015
This marks the sixth annual version of the California Office Pool. It was inspired by the late, great New York Times columnist William Safire, who made a habit of writing an annual column he called Office Pool. In it, Safire offered, multiple-choice style, a series of possible news events that could take place in the new year. At the column’s end, he let you know which ones he thought would occur.
Safire’s focus was Washington; ours is California. My picks are at the end.
Last year, my record was mixed. I was too bullish on Twitter, Apple and Facebook – and not bullish enough on Apple. I was right about the state’s budget surplus being small (less than $5 billion annually), unemployment, Jerry Brown’s big margin of victory, the failure of the Republicans to elect any statewide officials, and the Oscar for best picture. But I was wrong in thinking that Ron Calderon could stay in the legislature. I was right in predicting that a California team would win hockey’s Stanley Cup, but wrong about the team. (I picked the San Jose sharks and the L.A. Kings won). And as for biggest political story, the health care ballot on the battle was big – but I never guessed we’d see anything like Shrimp Boy and Leland Yee. (more…)