Early America’s “Resistance Cities”
Today, we celebrate Constitution Day, marking the 235th anniversary of the signing of the US Constitution. This year, a half-dozen of the country’s largest metropolises, including Los Angeles and San Francisco, celebrated early—by suing Attorney General Jeff Sessions’ Justice Department for threatening to withhold federal grant money from so-called “sanctuary cities.” And on Friday, those […]
Turning up the Pressure on a Gas Tax Repeal
Anger over the increase in gas taxes has launched a second initiative to repeal the tax passed in April. Sources close to the drafting of this new measure say it will be well funded. Such a measure could have political implications beyond undoing the tax—one situation now and one if it makes the ballot. Polls […]
Think long before regulating the internet
Don’t look now but California wants to regulate your internet. What could go wrong? Consumers are rightfully concerned about data security and personal privacy. Data breaches, hacking and poor personal security practices have compromised internet users’ financial and personal information. Large majorities of Americans want to improve their control over their own personal information. But […]
Make Hollywood Pay for Any Olympics Cost Overruns
Now that Los Angeles has been tapped to host the 2028 Olympics, attention is focused on what happens when and if there are cost overruns. The state is likely to be on the hook for $250 million of the first $500 million of losses. That’s how things worked under legislation tied to the L.A.’s original […]
The Cautious British Example When It Comes to Electric Vehicles
It has become raison d’être that electric vehicles (EV) will keep increasing in use without considering serious factors that could hamper their growth. The British electrical grid example and the growth of EVs should bring pause to California consumers, investors, Governor Brown and the Legislature promoting there unconstrained usage. According to the British National Grid, “the […]
California tries to goose electric car sales with rebates—but is it enough?
California car buyers are getting a mixed bag of news this week, some of which could have profound implications for the future of the state’s effort to get 1.5 million drivers out of emission-spewing vehicles and into electric alternatives. The Legislature is poised to send the governor a bill—outlining how to spend $1.5 billion in proceeds from […]
Single Payer Health Care and the 2020 CA Primary
In the week that Sen. Bernie Sanders introduced his Medicare for All bill backed by a number of Democratic senators, including California’s Kamala Harris, the California legislature is moving a bill to jump the 2020 presidential primary in the Golden State from June to early March. The two items are closely connected. Deep blue California […]
AB 1250 Would Make the Poor More Miserable
As we have seen again in the aftermath of Hurricanes Harveyand Irma, Americans are the world’s most charitable people. From food banks and religious groups, to the Red Cross andHabitat for Humanity, our people help out those most in need. I also can speak from experience as a county treasurer and supervisor that nonprofits provide crucial services to the poorestand least among […]
PPIC Polling and the Immigration Debate
One of the most important issues for Californians in the first year of the Trump administration is changing federal immigration policy. Immigrants are a significant presence in California, and even more so in Los Angeles County. Los Angeles, the state’s most populous county, is home to more than 10 million people, including more immigrants than […]