Don’t Seize Farmers Water, Let Them Trade It
As California weathers its fourth straight year of extreme drought, policy makers and their cheerleaders continue to scapegoat California’s agricultural industry. Writing in the Sacramento Bee, economist Christopher Thornberg, for example, refers to the industry as “feckless” and advocates using eminent domain to seize farmers’ water. In truth, the agricultural industry has made ground-breaking efficiency […]
Both Sides Are Right on Transportation. Let’s Find a Deal
To the outside, a deal may appear elusive on transportation funding this session. Republicans are intent on using existing funding and demand accountability reforms. Democrats want new funding while also agreeing that accountability reforms are necessary. Both sides are right. It’s time to make a deal. Before we consider new revenues, we must agree to […]
Let’s Have an Honest Immigration Debate
There is no doubt that the candidacy of Donald Trump has reignited the immigration debate. There is also no doubt that while Americans may disagree over how to deal with our broken immigration system, there is a general consensus that it must be fixed. The problem with the approach of both Trump and the media […]
The Jobs Perplex (2): California, Labor Day 2015
We arrive at Labor Day 2015, with a much different story line in California than previous Labor Days. Four years ago, our Labor Day 2011 posting, entitled the Jobs Perplex, looked at the slow pace of job growth of the Great Recession recovery. Then the Perplex was why job growth was slower than previous recoveries. […]
Governor Signs Legislation that Limits Access to Direct Democracy
Governor Brown signed Assembly Bill 1100 (Low-D) into law. EffectiveJanuary 1, 2016, citizens who wish to submit a ballot initiative or referendum must pay $2,000, instead of the current fee of $200. Direct democracy is a citizen’s right – a cornerstone of the checks and balances of democracy that have been protected passionately in California. Raising […]