Is The “I” Word To Be Taken Seriously?
Some decry the fact that presidential campaigns take too long. The most recent one with all its ugliness could not have ended soon enough. Maybe four year stints for those elected are also too long. We might need a probationary period to see how things work out. The Constitution’s authors—all very wise men—did not foresee […]
How Iran and North Korea Could Wreck California’s Energy Dependent Economy
It’s difficult to ascertain what non-OPEC, and even some OPEC members will do about future supply cuts and how this will affect the California economy. According to energy trader Martin Tiller, “90% compliance is a good sign for OPEC, but Venezuela, UAE and Iraq aren’t following commitments.” Contrary signals are also coming from Nigeria and particularly Libya. […]
From Baby Boom to Latino Boom in LA County
The Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation (LAEDC) annual economic forecast conference spent a good deal of time focused on the Latino community and its effect on the county’s economy. Latino growth is affecting the county outlook in such a way that Univision Senior Vice President Chiqui Cartagena compared the impact to the influence of […]
Ending the Corrupting Influence of Special Interest Money
In a recent survey, voters ranked “Removing the corrupting influence of special interest money in California politics” as more important than climate change, pension reform, immigration, or jobs and the economy. While jobs, the economy, climate change, and immigration were considered important by California voters, each of those issues paled in comparison to voter concern […]
To Get Things Done in California, Listen More Than You Talk
What do we do now, Nelson Rising? I pose that question not just because this is a confusing and complicated era for California. And not just because no living Californian is better than Nelson Rising— a developer, lawyer, campaign manager and civic leader from Los Angeles—at navigating our state’s complexities to create communities that endure. […]
State leaders recognize the opportunity of California manufacturing
We are pleased that State Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon recently bragged in a tweet that led with the fact California has the most manufacturing jobs in the nation. We should be proud that manufacturing plays such a crucial role in the California and US economies. As advocates for manufacturing, we regularly remind elected officials that not only […]
California: An Enemy Of The People
President Trump last week called his media critics an “enemy of the American people.” The phrase “enemy of the people” has a long and sordid history that should concern those to whom it is being applied, especially if it becomes part of Trump’s approach to government. The phrase can be found in literature going all the […]
“Co-equal” Goals of Water Reliability and Delta Protection Deserve More than Lip Service
Somewhere on the road to achieving the “co-equal goals” of a reliable water supply and the enhancement and protection of the Delta, the reliable part was left behind. Federal and state policymakers should look to restore that balance and provide California communities with more certainty about their water supply. And, let’s make the changes now […]