Cap-n-Trade—and Costs—Up
A punch from the left, a punch from the right but still standing, battered but victorious, the cap-and-trade extension. It was an odd fight. Republicans citing environmental groups’ positions to oppose the measure; Democrats hauling up the flag of big business in support. Establishment Republicans like former Gov. Pete Wilson and former United States Secretary […]
Despite Proposition 13, California property tax revenue has soared
Much has been said and written – mostly negatively – about the effects of Proposition 13, California’s iconic law limiting property taxes. Its critics say that Proposition 13, which restricts taxes to 1 percent of property values and caps increases in those values at 2 percent a year, has starved schools and local governments of vital […]
The Dangers of a Geofenced Internet
A big part of the appeal of the World Wide Web has always been the first two words — “world” and “wide.” The internet represents an almost utopian ideal of a place where people around the globe can come together to share new ideas, create new products and even argue. But as a privacy advocate, […]
It’s Time To Add “Teeth” To CA’s Housing Element Law
The LA Times recently published a couple of stories on June 29 and July 11 about the continuing housing crises and the supposed failure of California’s housing element law to avert that crises. Simply stated, California’s housing element law requires that every city and county plan for its own population and jobs growth. Hard to argue with that concept, […]
My Brain Train
My train line is smarter than your train line. I’m a regular rider of “The Brain Train,” officially known as the Gold Line on the L.A. Metro system’s. The Gold Line is light rail running from the eastern San Gabriel Valley into downtown L.A. and then back out again to East L.A. Along the way, […]