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.
The Good, The Bad, And The Tricky In Special Session
We are nearing the end of the summer, which means that we are in the home stretch of the 2015 Legislative session. But this does not mean that things are slowing down in Sacramento. Democrats miss no opportunity to pass their pet projects, and the end of session is the perfect opportunity. You can expect to see plenty of efforts made to pass bills that will further hurt job creation in California and attempts to sneak unpopular legislation through at the last minute. Let me give you a preview of coming attractions.
To begin with, there are a number of “job killing” bills on the agenda in these final weeks. Senate Bill 32 would massively expand California’s cap-and-trade program, forcing businesses to pay even more for their carbon offsets. Senate Bill 350 would cut carbon even further by mandating in 15 years the following: a 50 percent reduction in petroleum use; more stringent energy efficient buildings; and require 50 percent of our electricity to come from so-called, but highly subsidized, renewable sources. (more…)
The Run for the Presidency: The Perilous Road Ahead
We often hear the question why is there such a dearth of good candidates (or for that matter any candidates) running for important offices both locally and beyond?
The answers have long been known: It requires strong name recognition, heavy financial support, and a willingness to go through the crucible of punishment by press that accompanies almost every campaign, the scorn of those who oppose you, and, finally, dedication to performance of what are often thankless tasks.
Any volunteers? (more…)
What Would Voters Do on Climate Change Bill?
Looking at the results of the California Business Roundtable/California Manufacturing & Technology Association poll on the SB 350 climate change bill, you can almost see how campaign arguments would be formulated if the hotly debated bill were on a ballot for voters to decide.
The poll conducted by M4 Mobile Research clearly showed that the public at large supports the goals of reducing greenhouse gases. While 82% of those polled consider climate change a serious or moderate threat to the state, when the components of the bill are tested the support remains strong.
Until the cost issue is raised.
Cutting petroleum use by half in cars and trucks by 2030, requiring 50 percent of the state’s electricity to come from renewable energy sources and doubling energy efficiency in buildings over the next 15 years enjoyed overwhelming support, all three items tested in the 70th percentile. Overall, SB 350 was favored 66% to 27%. (more…)
When Stocks Drop, California Suffers
I recently made a couple of tweets/Facebook posts pointing out that market declines threaten California’s budget surplus. I referenced articles in the WSJ and Bloomberg, and I thought the observation was non-controversial—almost banal.
So I was surprised at the feedback. One person asked why. Another said it doesn’t mean anything until holders of declining assets cash out. Yet another pointed out that the wealthy were back to where they were eight months ago. Finally, one said we wouldn’t know of the impact until after the end of the next budget year.
Let’s answer the question “Why?” first: A decline in asset prices would have a detrimental impact on California’s budget because California’s tax system is extraordinarily progressive, with the result that a few really wealthy people pay a huge proportion of California’s taxes. California’s Legislative Analyst’s Office has estimated that the top one percent of California’s population paid half of the state’s income taxes in 2012. Income taxes are California’s major revenue source, comprising about 65 percent of the state’s income. (more…)
Embrace Online Public Schools
Like many families throughout California, ours is taking the important step of beginning another school year. Although we live in Sacramento County, my sons will be attending an excellent public school in Sutter County. Or, more precisely, the school will be coming to them.
My sons attend California Virtual Academies (CAVA), an online charter school offered as a public education option and certified by the state of California. CAVA is among a growing list of diploma-granting public virtual education schools in our state.
Thanks to Governor Jerry Brown, California has recently made some giant strides in public education. Now I, speaking on behalf of many parent leaders, believe state lawmakers must join the governor’s enthusiasm and embrace the benefits of public virtual schools and the positive contributions they make to our children’s education. (more…)
California Auditor Issues Report On “Improper Activities” Revealed By Whistleblowers
“For democracies to work, elected leaders need to be responsive and representative, and voters must be able to hold elected officials accountable for results. Democratic integrity requires an electoral process that empowers voters and gives candidates and incumbents the incentives to listen and lead. It requires transparency throughout the government so voters have an accurate understanding of public decisions and the results of public programs.”
Those words are from the California Forward website and help instruct our interest and work in public accountability.
It explains why we found a report on the California Whistleblower Protection Act from the California State Auditor released on Thursday so interesting. The law empowers the auditor to investigate complaints that state agencies and employees have engaged in improper governmental activity. (Here’s a link to the summary of the report) (more…)