An Attempt to Get Public Financing of Campaigns Through the Back Door
Sen. Ben Allen’s SB 1107 wants to allow public funding of campaigns, something voters prohibited years ago. A long time acquaintance of mine, David Keating who now runs the Center for Competitive Politics in Washington, D.C. had an opinion piece in yesterday’s Orange County Register blasting the attempt by Sen. Allen to overturn a vote of […]
California Has A Slow-Motion Housing Emergency
The state is under-building by tens of thousands of new houses and apartments each year that are needed to meet demand. As a result, home prices and rents are soaring and commutes are lengthening – especially in coastal metropolitan regions. If a fire or flood or earthquake had wiped out a thousand or five thousand homes and apartments, the […]
“Drug Transparency” Bill Hurts Patients, Drives Up Costs
Curbing the rising cost of prescription drugs is something every American supports. And, Senate Bill 1010 attempts to do just this. However, what Senator Hernandez’ legislation fails to do is tackle the real culprit: skyrocketing healthcare costs. Singling out pharmaceutical manufacturers is easy, convenient and politically expedient. It creates great sound bites in an election year, […]
California for Whom?
“Old in error,” writes historian Kevin Starr, “California remains an American hope.” Historically, our state has been a beacon to outsiders seeking a main chance: from gold miners and former Confederates to Midwesterners displaced by hardship, Jews seeking opportunity denied elsewhere, African Americans escaping southern apartheid, Asians fleeing communism and societal repression, Mexicans looking for […]