Business Abandons Trump
In a March commentary on this page I defended Disney CEO Robert Iger for deciding to stay on President Donald Trump’s business advisory committee so that he would have an opportunity to influence the president on important economic issues. It has become clear, however, that Trump doesn’t listen to advice and business leaders are abandoning […]
Ross Johnson
In the beginning there was Ross Johnson. He was one of the first legislators I met when I got into the political game and I admired his tenacity, his political instincts, and his ability to battle his opponents but treat them with respect and friendship. Ross Johnson passed away yesterday at age 77. As Republican […]
AB 1250 is Bad for Counties and for Business
As legislators return to Sacramento next week to wrap up the 2017 session, the Chamber will continue to support bills that will advance our state and oppose bills that would be a step backward. We will support legislation that encourages more desperately needed housing and we will oppose bills that would do great damage to […]
Housing Shortage to End Soon. Maybe.
The housing shortage. We’ve been hearing a great deal about that problem lately. It’s driving prices up and supposedly scaring away workers from our area. But the San Fernando, Santa Clarita and Antelope valley areas may get real relief in coming years. Why? Because the long-suffering Newhall Ranch project recently won an important approval. In […]
Court Action Puts Focus on FPPC Recall Funding Decision
The Fair Political Practices Commission decision on Thursday about whether elected officials can exceed limits to help in a recall campaign became more urgent for Sen. Josh Newman when a Court of Appeal froze the new law that would have delayed the recall. The lawsuit brought by the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association challenged recent changes […]
Single Payer Requires A Vote of the People
Of all the many incredible claims made in support of SB 562 – the so-called “single payer” health care bill that doesn’t actually establish a single-payer system – is this one: Single-payer can be established without a vote of the people. If only that were true. But this is California, where doing almost anything butts […]
It’s Time to Deal with Recidivism
California needs a comprehensive approach to lowering incarceration rates – a plan that will not only lower incarceration levels, but preserve the historically low crime rates we currently enjoy. Sacramento’s current approach to this problem is mass early-release for felons – potentially at the expensive of public safety. A more ambitious and effective strategy – […]
The Alt-Right’s Young Men of Means
Last weekend’s events in Charlottesville, Virginia still reverberate around the country. The white, nationalist, Nazi-inspired marchers invaded the idyllic college town and brought the fury of racial hatred and poisonous ideology with them. Watching myriad news reports it’s clear these were young men of some means. Many wore white polo shirts and khaki pants with […]
Scramble of State Politics Leaves Business in the Middle
As state politics is scrambled from the left and the right, it is appropriate to wonder where the big business community comes down when donating to candidates in the next statewide election. There is a revolt in both parties. Republican activists want the Assembly leader, Chad Mayes, to give up his leadership post—indeed some want […]