Tug of War Over Bullet Train Funding
A lot of news on funding – or stopping funding – for the bullet train last week. First the U.S. Congress voted to stop funding the California high-speed rail. The idea that the money will be stopped was brushed aside because the Senate and the president would not go along. At least, the senate won’t […]
A Back Room Deal Budget
(Editor’s note: Following is the text of the floor speech delivered by Senate Republican Leader Bob Huff on the proposed 2014-15 California budget) All things considered this is not a bad budget framework. There are some bills that our caucus will vote for today, and some that we won’t. We agree with many items in […]
Legislative Update: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
CALA works with the Civil Justice Association of California (CJAC) to support legal reform in the legislature. For the 2013-2014 legislative season, CALA and CJAC have seen some attempts at legislative reforms – and some bills that would expand opportunities for abusive lawsuits. Although we are only half way through the session, things are looking […]
Elon Musk Makes Right Decision Over Tesla Patents
Tesla Motors announced yesterday it has opened its patent portfolio in hopes of encouraging other companies to create new electric vehicles. In a blog post, CEO Elon Musk said this was done “In the spirit of the open source movement, for the advancement of electric vehicle technology.” Musk also said that many patents tend to […]
Solar has had its Day in the Sun – It’s Time to Level the Playing Field
Thanks in part to state and federal tax benefits, as well as strong state clean energy policies, the large-scale solar energy industry has boomed. By the end of the decade, commercial solar is expected to make up about seven percent of our state’s electricity supply. This is in stark contrast to other types of renewables […]