Say it Ain’t So: “Texas is the New California”
After looking at the state unemployment numbers that came out last week, the Wall Street Journal declared in an editorial that Texas cities have become the destination for investment and entrepreneurship. The paper flatly states: "Texas is the New California."
Has the Golden State dropped so low that we have lost our reputation as the home of innovation and bright beginnings? Have entrepreneurs found a more comfortable, happier place to call home? It sure looks that way.
The Trouble With Prop 25
I’m the author of a new book that argues that California
needs to get rid of all the two-thirds supermajority requirements that clog its
constitution, including the two-thirds requirement for passing a budget. So why
don’t I like Prop 25, which would permit a budget to be passed by majority
vote?
Because California governing system is so broken that it’s
possible to vote for an initiative that advances a good policy and still make
things worse.
Billboard comparing head San Diego city librarian’s pension with the 4-star general Commandant of the United States Marine Corps
You will want to watch this video!https: video?clipid=”5235392&topVideoCatNo=191217&autoStart=true”> Our retired head San Diego city librarian made $139,000 salary as an employee. She now receives $227,000 in pensions, PLUS has another major pension we can’t quantify. Contrast that with a Commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps — a FOUR STAR general position. That general’s pension for 30 years often arduous and dangerous service is about $149,000 a year.
This mobile billboard is showing up at each debate and gathering, and is driving around town the rest of the time. Prop D proponents are not pleased!
Changing the World, One Book at a Time
Readers and contributors alike to Fox and Hounds have strong, well-thought out opinions – and plenty of ideas. Ideas from election finance reform, to motivating their neighbors to take public transportation, to improving our educational system and to ending road rage – any of which would make Planet Earth a more comfortable address.
What if you are one of those people with an idea, and it is an idea that requires more than a hundred characters to explain? Maybe even more than the 420 characters allowed in a Facebook post?
The Fight for Clean Air
The Inland Empire is home to some of the worst air pollution in the nation, and though we are seeing some slow improvement in air quality here, Riverside County remains part of one of the country’s top 25 most air polluted regions. Prop 23, which is on the statewide ballot next week, would put the brakes on clean energy development in California, and would be a huge setback in our progress toward cleaner air and a world-leading clean energy economy.
Texas oil companies – including Valero, Tesoro and Koch Industries – are the principal backers of Prop 23. Why? Our move to a clean energy economy is a direct threat to their industry, whose product is gasoline, whose byproduct is dirty air and damaged health and whose simple equation is the more gasoline they sell in California, the greater their profits.