Business and Labor Weigh Next Moves After Minimum Wage Bill Passes
Calling the minimum wage legislation passed by both houses of the legislature yesterday a “negotiated” bill is like saying a team won a basketball game when they were the only team on the court. Business did not get a say in the “negotiated” bill. The business coalition formed to oppose the minimum wage increase, California […]
A Small But Important Victory for Flexibility in Direct Democracy
No matter what you think about a $15-per-hour minimum wage, the legislative deal to advance such a wage offered a small but important victory – for the cause of putting more flexibility in California’s direct democracy. California’s versions of ballot initiatives and referenda have long been distinguished by their inflexibility. No other place on earth […]
Local Air District Control at Risk of Political Cronyism
To hear certain politicians, interest groups and newspaper columnists describe it recent decisions by the South Coast Air Quality Management District Board will condemn Southlanders to a return to 1970s levels smog with dire consequences to life and health. This is highly unlikely for a number of reasons. Regarding the specific issues: first there’s the […]
Evolving California High Speed Rail Now Degraded To Only A Commuter Train!
When voters passed in the November 2008 election, Prop 1A, they approved partially funding a 800 mile High Speed Rail project, that was to run from San Francisco to San Diego. The project was to be constructed quickly and be up and running by 2020. Approved Business plans in 2012 and 2014, then projected construction […]