CEQA Fixes Piece by Piece Doesn’t Cut It
It seems the battle over CEQA (California Environmental Quality Act) reform to reduce wait time for development and discourage lawsuits is finding some success — that is if you have friends in high places with projects to champion. Say you want a downtown basketball arena in Sacramento and the president pro tem of the senate […]
Proposed Labor Bill could Backfire on Safety, Costs and Jobs
California’s manufacturers place a high premium on a skilled workforce that produces world-class products while protecting their safety and the safety of their neighbors in the surrounding community. So we are understandably alarmed by legislation that would not only put that safety at risk, but create an unprecedented mandate that would fundamentally alter the ability […]
Follow the Money: Idealogical Hype Hides True Fiscal Impact of Gun Control Bills
Amid the rush to gun control in the months following last year’s tragedy at Sandy Hook, legislatures across America returned to session this year intent on pushing stringent gun control bills. This we know just by opening the newspaper each day. What you may not know, however, is that amongst all the idealogical hype surrounding […]
Tribal Water Rights Lawsuits Lead to Costly Courtroom Battles
On summer weekends, the Truckee River is a favorite spot for vacationers, rafters, bike riders and patient anglers chasing the elusive trout plying its fresh, clear water. Most are unaware that this 120-mile river in Northern California and Western Nevada has been ground zero in a long-running and costly fight over tribal water rights. The […]
AB 917 Would Send Charter Schools to the Back of the Class
The popularity and success of California’s 900 charter schools aren’t making everyone happy. Union leaders have tried to organize the non-union schools, but unsuccessfully. New tactic: Hamper the charters’ spread. AB 917, which just passed both houses of the Legislature, might accomplish that. If it becomes law, it also could be the first volley in […]
Gov. Brown Signs Four New Transparency Bills into Law
This week Gov. Jerry Brown signed several bills into law that bolstered the state government’s transparency and accountability to its constituents. Two came from Assemblyman Ken Cooley (D-Rancho Cordova), one from Assembly Speaker Perez (D-Los Angeles), and one from Assemblyman Adam Grey (D-Merced). “These bills taken together represent a small but meaningful step toward a […]