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.

New Normal of California Employment in 2014; Presents from Mr. Peguese

The New Normal of California Employment in 2014 will see a continuation of the steady payroll job growth we’ve seen since early 2010, as well as a continuation of the trend of part-time and contingent employment and independent contracting, replacing full time employment with benefits. Wage inequality will have a heightened profile in California, though the forces driving this inequality are far removed from state government.

This Friday, EDD will be releasing the final monthly jobs report of 2013. It will likely continue the trend of the past three years of steady job growth and reduction in the official unemployment rate.  Since February 2010, California has gained 868,300 payroll jobs, over 293,400 payroll jobs from October 2012 through October 2013. The unemployment rate has gone done steadily: 12.5% in October 2010, 11.5% in October 2011, 10.1% in October 2012, and 8.7% in October 2013.

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F&H Daily’s Fifth Annual Black Bart Award Week

For the past four 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. We name the final selection the winner of the Black Bart Award.

There are no specific criteria to follow in making the selection. Each author will explain his reason for selecting a nominee. Perhaps, the nominee took one courageous act, or committed a dastardly deed that had great repercussions, or performed heroically in difficult circumstances. The nominee may be a person, or more than one, or even an institution or an issue that had great impact on California politics and policy over the year.

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Chuck Reed Takes Pension Reform to Public

In politics, if you’re not making someone mad, you’re not doing your job. When a person is elected, we expect him or her to decide what the important problems are and then work to fix them, regardless of whose toes get stepped on.

San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed’s plan for a 2014 initiative to reform the state’s public employee pension system has brought non-stop attacks from California’s powerful labor unions, something few Democratic politicians are willing to risk. But Reed has decided to challenge a system he believes threatens the financial future of the state and its cities and counties. That willingness to make a tough political call makes Reed my choice for Californian of the year.

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5 California Holiday Things Worth Celebrating

I make a lot of lists at the holidays–there’s always much to do. This year, I wondered what California holiday things are worth celebrating. Here’s my top 5. What’s yours?

5. Alta Dena Certified Dairy egg nog. The old-fashioned kind, not the fru-fru new flavors like pumpkin. Hard to find (I’ve had to go to the Smart & Final in Highland Park to hook myself up this holiday season). So think creamy. Nothing artifical. I’m a teetotaler, and it’s so good I can drink it straight. Rick Perry haters should try to ignore the fact that it’s now owned by a Texas-based company.

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Traffic Fix? Nothing Is Easier

What’s the best thing we can do to relieve L.A.’s traffic? I’m starting to think that the answer to that question is to do nothing. Yes, nothing at all. Kick back. Chill out. Wait.

The reason: driverless cars are coming. Oh, sure, they’re a few years off at least, but when they do arrive, and if they become standard, they have the potential to change everything. They could very well eliminate L.A.’s traffic jams. Or at least seriously reduce them.

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The Church of Pensions

“Government Pensions Are No Longer Sacred,” — UT San Diego

Welcome to the Church of Pensions. I am your pastor, Rest. Vest Edward Wright. But you can call me Vested.

First a big thank you to the police and fire league, for your generosity in building a new sanctuary. Sometimes I wonder if there’s any limit to the amount of cash you have available to give us.

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