Replacing Boxer: Bipartisan Sanchez Over Ideologue Harris
Many believe that California would be better off if we sent Attorney General Kamala Harris to Washington to succeed Barbara Boxer, the 75 year old “junior” senator from California. But then again, is it fair to the rest of the country to stick the nation with the highly partisan Kamala Harris when Loretta Sanchez is […]
Transportation Special Session in Gridlock
Much like much of the state’s traffic, the legislative special session on transportation/infrastructure is stuck in gridlock. Democratic legislators have a plan to provide $7.5 billion a year in new tax revenue. The governor’s plan also includes tax increases. Republicans want to use current tax revenue more efficiently, cap and trade funds for roads or […]
Economic growth has not “decoupled” from CO2 emissions
With the enactment of new climate change regulation through 2030, California leaders are closing ranks to make the economic and business case for more mandates. The new requirement will reduce total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by at least 40 percent below 2020 emissions. On a per capita basis, that’s a reduction of one-half of GHG emissions from today’s […]
Denying Californians a “Right to Know”
When California voters approved Proposition 65 in 1986, they overwhelmingly indicated they wanted a “right to know” when they may be exposed to potentially harmful chemicals. For the past quarter century, businesses operating in California have been required to inform consumers when they may be exposed to chemicals “known to the state of California” to […]
Big Changes in California’s Spending
A review of California’s 2016–17 state budget yields a new pattern as spending surges on retirement and Medicaid (Medi-Cal) costs. Budget shares have changed dramatically since 2010–11: Much has been written about the spending surge on pensions and OPEB (retiree healthcare) but little has been written about the surge in spending on Medi-Cal, a voucher-style […]
Betting on the Presidential Debates
(Editor’s note: The first presidential debate is upon us and the website SportsBettingDime.com produced some odds on issues and actions that could come out of the debate. For your amusement, we reproduce the odds revealed in a press release here.) If you’re a betting man, put your money down on Lester Holt fact checking Donald Trump more than […]
What Would Legislative Democrats Do With Two Thirds?
Improbably, I find myself living in the midst of the most interesting State Senate race in California. The Pasadena contest between Democrat Anthony Portantino and Republican Mike Antonovich. It’s not an easy choice. I know, like and respect both men. Portantino has been a reform-minded legislator, a good local mayor, and a very friendly accessible […]
May I Have Your Autograph: Celebrity Culture & Consumer Protection
As someone who needed an explanation for the word “Brangelina” this week, I’m not sure I’m the most qualified to comment on a new law meant to protect against fake celebrity autographs. While we live in a society that seems overexposed to celebrity culture, we also live in a state in which entertainment and celebrity […]
Prop 55, a Gamble the High Rollers will Do Well
Proposition 55 on this November’s ballot would extend income tax rate increases for twelve additional years. In 2012, voters approved Proposition 30, which established marginal tax rates as high as 13.3% through 2018. At the time, the tax increase was presented as an emergency measure needed to address the state’s fiscal crisis. But now that this […]