The Voters Speak, The Legislature Interprets–Not Always Correctly
The voters speak, the legislature interprets—and sometimes the translation is not faithful to the original meaning. We saw that last week with resolutions and rules changes that seem to fly in the face of the newly passed Proposition 54 demanding a waiting period before any measure is passed and last session with SB 1107, which […]
Boxer Exits With a Whimper
Barbara Boxer was never a particularly effective senator. Just name a signature legislative achievement or a victory for California in her 24 years representing the state. So her exit was fitting. She went out protesting the passage of what had been our own bill of water projects. And she went out blasting her own colleague, […]
Analysis of Novemer 2016 Initiative Results
Nothing makes academics, self-described good government types, editorial writers and elected officials happier than denouncing the initiative process as chaotic, confusing, serving the special interests, and end-running the Legislature. They argue that voters are deceived by misleading sounding initiatives; fail to vote on many measures: and often don’t get the outcomes they think they are […]
Next Generation Is On CalPERS’s Menu
“If you’re not at the table, you’re probably on the menu.” — Dave Low, Executive Director, California School Employees Association “Pay now or pay more later.” — CalPERS board member Richard Gillihan, appointed by Governor Jerry Brown The CalPERS board is considering a recommendation to lower its investment return assumption to 6.1%. That would mean higher pension costs […]
CA GOP Must Adapt to the Marketplace
Last month, I discussed the importance of Californians not allowing a Democratic super-majority. Well, with all votes now counted in California, Democrats have won the super-majority in both chambers. Republicans Eric Linder, David Hadley, and Young Kim lost re-elections in the Assembly giving Democrats 55 seats. In the Senate, Assemblywoman Ling Ling Chang lost a […]