Able Abel and the Role of Acting Governor
Acting governor Abel Maldonado stands tall in the San Bruno gas line fire tragedy. Filling in for Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger who is on an Asian tour generating business for the Golden State, Maldonado has taken over the controls of the California ship and proved a hands-on leader directing resources to the sight of the crisis. Importantly, he is available to explain to the people suffering from the crisis and the public at large what the government knows and what it is doing.
Over the years, many observers of California government have suggested that the state constitution be changed to keep power with the elected governor, even when he or she is out of state. The argument goes that with modern communication systems, a governor traveling far away would still be informed and aware of any situation and the traveling governor can still direct the bureaucracy to respond in a crisis.
However, it is clear from the current crisis that some one on the ground has a better understanding of on-going problems and possible solutions to confront them. Maldonado has proven that.
City of Limits: A Generation After LA’s Myth and Reality Clashed
The City of Angels has become a city of limits, facing major
environmental decisions that will determine the political agenda until
the end of the century and the quality of life for decades.
Loosely controlled growth in the postwar years has outpaced efforts to
protect Los Angeles’ air, water and soil from pollution. Studies by
local, state and federal agencies warn that deterioration of the city’s
environment will reach critical levels as the population soars by an
expected 20 percent in the next 13 years.
Cleaning up the environment will cost billions of dollars and force
drastic changes in lifestyle, with such measures as trash separation,
water conservation and mandatory car pooling, according to interviews
with politicians, community leaders, educators, environmentalists and
consumers.
Small Businesses Need Certainty from Sacramento to Start Hiring Again
Many
California employers are currently struggling through what has been
dubbed, "The Great Recession." As a small businessman, I know first
hand just how hard government has made it to hire new workers.
Businesses large and small are trying to avoid layoffs.
The latest
reports show very few are hiring, which is not a good sign in a time of
record unemployment. The economy, stock market, and consumer spending
are all on a roller coaster.
What businesses need from Sacramento is certainty. They need to know
that they’re not going to be saddled with new government mandates that
they can’t afford. And they need assurance that their taxes won’t keep
going up if they start hiring new employees. Small businesses are in
the Capitol every day pleading for relief from regulations. And they’re
fighting plans to impose new taxes and extend "temporary" tax hikes
passed last year.