Secret Ballot is a Shield of Democracy
Should AB 1494 become law allowing voters to disclose voluntarily how they voted it would reverse the protections of a secret ballot, an important tool of democratic elections. Author Marc Levine (D-Greenbrae) and supporters argue that the voluntary disclosure is a First Amendment issue. Indeed, any citizen can now say how they vote. But, the bill’s […]
SB 32: Based on Fantasy, Not Facts
Facts are stubborn things; and whatever our wishes, our inclinations, or the dictates of our passion, they cannot alter the state of facts and evidence. Wise words that ring true again today, just days after members of the liberal majority passed legislation motivated by fantasy, not facts. I’m here to tell you the facts about […]
Keep the Coastal Commission Rules Simple
Members of state commissions are dumb enough when they talk to people. Keeping them apart from conversations won’t make them any smarter. That basic insight is why efforts to “reform” the Coastal Commission and various other commissions don’t make much sense. The idea should be to encourage more conversation—public conversation—from which commissioners and everyone else […]
Sustainable Freight Action Plan Gets Mixed Reviews
“Men argue. Nature acts.” – Voltaire The recently released Sustainable Freight Action Plan, which tries to balance economic and environmental objectives in the race to meet climate protection goals in California, is getting mixed reviews. Developed by several state agencies in conjunction with stakeholder groups, the Plan is intended to meet the objective of improving efficiency […]