Let Science Speak
No matter the crisis, the State Water Resource Control Board (SWRCB), Governor Brown and the Democratic super-majority-controlled Legislature — despite their best efforts — are no match for nature itself as has been demonstrated during six years of drought and now three and a half months of flooding and massive infrastructure failures. While species continue […]
Why His Opponents Are Worried about John Chiang
Gavin Newsom may be the frontrunner for governor. Antonio Villaraigosa may have the benefits of experience and a strong record as Assembly speaker and mayor of Los Angeles. And John Cox, as the lone Republican in the race, may have a good shot at getting into the top two. But don’t count out John Chiang. […]
Common Sense Criminal Justice Reform Legislation
A series of three bills affecting the criminal justice system sponsored by our fellow prosecutors in the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office have been introduced in the Legislature and deserve passage. Senate Bill 194 allows the initial term of probation to be extended to beyond the initial maximum term following a probation violation. Under current […]
California’s manufacturing and recycling economy
When “manufacturing” is mentioned, you likely picture a factory with products rolling off an assembly line. But there are many off-site functions that are not as obvious as a large plant in an industrial park. One of these is recycling: manufacturers are the biggest consumers of material recycled from end-of-life products and industrial scrap. In 2014 […]
423 million new opportunities for clean air now
Governor Brown’s pet transportation bill that was just approved sealed the deal for higher diesel fuel taxes and required some horse trading with truckers seeking stability in fleet vehicle requirements for the future. It’s a familiar path in California – one with mixed results. The state that leads the nation in electric car registrations last […]
“Follow the Money” Report Reveals Billions in Government Waste, Fraud, and Abuse
Millions of Californians will file tax returns this Tax Day and many wonder whether the billions they send to their government actually goes to good use. The Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association released the annual Follow the Money report documenting Sacramento’s repeated failure to properly manage taxpayers’ hard-earned dollars. Examples covered in the report include failure to account […]
How Brown Fuels Debt
Gov. Jerry Brown has defined himself as a careful fiscal steward, wary of taking on more debt. Those have been his words, at least. But his actions – or lack thereof – encourage borrowing. To put it more bluntly, Brown’s excessive frugality (he brags about being cheap) fuels debt. Brown has been reluctant to raise […]
Dog Days in Sacramento
If childhood memories invoke thoughts of a favorite pet, a golden, a lab or a playful bulldog and you’re looking forward to the day when you can share that special breed with your family, it’s time to pay attention. At least one California lawmaker has a different plan for your future: His bill, AB 485, […]
Don’t Take Away Pharmaceutical Assistance for Patients
Rising health care costs have many looking for ways to ease patient burdens and maximize health outcomes. Despite taking up only 10% of health care expenditures, prescription drugs have become the highlight of discussion and target for most proposed cost-cutting measures. And with these drugs, pharmaceutical manufacturers have become easy scapegoats for the many ills […]