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 Workforce Training Gets $200 Million Boost From Budget
The California Legislature passed a budget that includes an additional $200 million for a workforce training program that takes aim at the looming skills gap across the state’s regions.
“This is a victory for both California employers and community college students. In our travels around California, we heard loud and clear about the need for more skilled workers in California,” said Van Ton-Quinlivan, vice chancellor for workforce and economic development at the California Community Colleges. “Enhancing career technical education and workforce training to meet the demands of our regional economies and the statewide labor market will benefit students, communities, and the entire state.” (more…)
Two-thirds Vote Still an Issue for Some Budget Matters
California has a state budget. True it’s a record setter at $122.5 billion, 6% higher than last year’s general fund budget, and the budget didn’t take on major debt liabilities created in great part by public employee health and retirement costs.
Republicans noted all this in voting no on the budget. That’s about all they can do now that the budget is passed with a majority vote. Republican legislators are merely observers and commentators on the budget process.
In unison, they warned that the record budget would leave huge holes when—not if—a recession hits. They also noted the budget did little with the outstanding debt liabilities. They are right on these points. It should be noted they generally praised the governor for adding $2 billion to the rainy day fund and showing some restraint on additional spending. (more…)
The Alternative to Crony Capitalism and Phony Shortages
The modern history of the Silicon Valley arguably began in 1957, when eight young PhD graduates left Shockley Semiconductor Laboratories to launch the first high-volume chip manufacturer, Fairchild Semiconductor. Fairchild and its spinoffs, including Intel and Advanced Micro Devices (AMD), were the early participants in what became the most fervid ecosystem of fiercely competitive innovators the world has ever seen. Inspired by the mantra “better, faster, cheaper,” and fueled by billions in venture capital, the Silicon Valley is now the epicenter of the information age that has transformed our lives. (more…)
The Neurodiversity Movement Finds a Friend in Microsoft, But Tough Questions About Employment Lie Ahead
The neurodiversity in employment movement came to our state last week.
On the morning of June 6, over 200 neurodiversity advocates from around the country gathered at the Microsoft campus in Mountain View, for the “Neurodiversity in the High Tech Workforce” conference. The event demonstrated the growing heft of the movement, while also indicating some of the tough questions that lie ahead if the movement is to yield greater results. (more…)
Why TV Moved Its Crime Bosses to Modesto and Oceanside
At first glance, the setting for Hollywood’s newest gangland drama might be jarring: northern San Diego County, in the small city of Oceanside.
But you really shouldn’t be surprised, at least by the location, if you decide to check out the Turner Network Television’s Animal Kingdom, about a violent crime family headed by a very scary and sun-bleached Ellen Barkin. Oceanside is exactly what Hollywood is looking for in California these days—and not just because a gangsters-by-the-sea story makes it so easy to mix TV’s favorite forms of titillation: attractive people wearing swimsuits and shooting guns. (more…)
Sacramento Democrats Target Munger Transparency Measure
Bay Area billionaire and moderate Republican mega-donor Charles Munger, Jr. has proposed a transparency measure, the California Legislative Transparency Act, likely to qualify for the ballot this November. However, Democrats in Sacramento may try to stop it first.
Munger’s measure would require that proposed legislation be published in its final form and available to the public at least 72 hours before it can come up for final votes for passage in the California State Senate and Assembly. It also contains language that would require that all public proceedings that take place in the legislative process be filmed and made public within 24 hours, and that the public be allowed to film public proceedings as well. (more…)