For Small Business, One Good Bill, One Bad
There are obviously more than two bills that the Legislature is considering which would affect small business in either a positive or negative way, but for this writing, two to focus on is a measure to help small business gain the resources necessary to thrive while also looking at one of those gut-and-amend measures that […]
Pay Attention to Manufacturing in the Climate Debate
In the wake of the Legislature passing new climate change bills this week, Governor Brown was asked about the impact on jobs. Part of his answer was “Manufacturing has been declining as a part of the American workforce for decades, and the decline in America generally is very similar to California.” Manufacturing is actually thriving […]
Geographies of Inequality
(Joel Kotkin’s new report, “Geographies of Inequality,” is the latest in a series of ahead-of-the-curve, groundbreaking pieces published through Third Way’sNEXT initiative. NEXT is made up of in-depth, commissioned academic research papers that look at trends that will shape policy over the coming decades. In particular, we are aiming to unpack some of the prevailing assumptions that […]
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 […]
Would Prop. 61 Really Cut Drug Prices?
It passes strange that, after so many scandals, the Veterans Administration is a being held up as a model for prescription drug prices. But that’s just what Proposition 61 does. The Ballot Summary reads: “Prohibits state agencies from buying any prescription drug from a drug manufacturer at any price over the lowest price paid for […]
I’ll Debate Kamala
The top-two system was supposed to produce new political competition. Its first big test in a statewide race – the U.S. Senate runoff between Kamala Harris and Loretta Sanchez – has raised questions about that argument. There’s been little competition. Sanchez, in particular, has been scarce, most recently making news for declining to talk to […]