Coasting to More of the Same?
The uproar over the California Coastal Commission’s firing of its executive director may be misguided. The executive director since 2011, Charles Lester is, by all accounts, an honest man. And no one questions his dedication to his work. But although Lester and other enthusiasts of the Coastal Commission say that the Commission’s “work” is, quite […]
The Meanings of California’s Low Labor Force Participation Rate
The most recent data on California’s labor force participation rate (the percentage of California adults employed or looking for work) show the rate continuing to decline the past few years, even as job growth is very strong. Why is this? Should workforce practitioners and policymakers in California be concerned? How much does the rate represent […]
The Common Denominator
Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders won their respective primaries in New Hampshire. Not a surprise. What was a bit of a surprise was the common theme in their election night speeches. They both paid quite a bit of attention to a burning issue that has appeared to ignite the electorate this election season; the purchase […]
‘Hidden’ Public Employee Benefit Costs in California State and Local Governments
Most public agencies in California, including the State of California, are financially insolvent because their liabilities exceed their assets. This essentially means that they have a negative ‘net worth,’ or ‘net value’ (aka ‘net position’) in terms of public finance. What is far less understood is the roots cause(s) of this trend. From a financial […]