Rise of the Referendum—But Not for All Issues
Referendums on legislative actions may be making a comeback in California. Earlier this week opponents of SB 277, the mandatory vaccination measure, began their quest to refer that legislative action to the voters for the November 2016 election. Already qualified to appear on that ballot is a referendum on banning single use plastic bags in […]
California Needs to Get Over Its Fantasy of Constant Growth
California has an official state flower (poppy), an official state insect (the dogface Butterfly), even an official state theater (the Pasadena Playhouse). But no official state sport. Unless you count the great Californian pastime of overestimating our population growth. It probably should be enough that we’re the most populous state in the Union. But California’s […]
Homebuyers Confront China Syndrome
China has hacked our government, devastated or severely challenged our industries and enjoyed one of the greatest wealth transfers in history – from our households to its. China also benefits from by far the largest trade surplus with the United States and also owns 11 percent of our national debt. Sometimes it seems to be […]
Mandating a 50-Percent Reduction in Oil—at What Cost?
A bill in the California Legislature is blazing through to mandate the reduction of 50 percent in the use of petroleum-based fuels, 50 percent reduction in energy use by existing buildings and increases the Renewable Portfolio Standard from 33 percent renewables to 50 percent — notably as California is well on track to meet the 2020 […]