Why California’s Dams are Breaking
Here’s a study you may find interesting: Among all states, California spends the lowest percent of its budget on infrastructure, according to a report last year from the Center for Budget and Policy Priorities. The Golden State invested only 3.3 percent of its budget in 2013 on infrastructure, one of only three states that spent […]
Reckless Bill to Repeal Limits on Rent-Control will make Housing Crisis Worse
One of the more depressing tricks employed by people who favor more government control of everything is this: Put government controls on a business, which causes problems, and then use the problems as a justification for more government controls. It’s like trying to reverse a case of alcohol poisoning with a jug of moonshine. Nowhere […]
The Crime Issue Rises
The murder of Whittier Police Officer Keith Boyer and the big increase of property crimes have highlighted growing concern over the consequences of recent legislation and ballot measures that have opened prison doors. The crime issue, so powerful in the final decades of the last century, is rising again in the public consciousness. In the […]
L.A. Is Too Good to Host the 2024 Olympics
Los Angeles should drop its bid for the 2024 Olympics—before it gets chosen. It’s true that Paris has long been the favorite to be awarded the games during an upcoming vote in September. The Paris bid has broad international support, the City of Light has come close to winning the games in recent bids, and […]
A Modest Proposal for California from a Public Servant
“When I see someone attacking the benefits the Fire Department receives or the Police Department receives, my concern is: Why wouldn’t you expect the same for yourself? We should act as a beacon.” —Mike Mohun, president of the San Ramon Firefighters Union, quoted in the New York Times, March 2, 2017 There are many compelling reasons […]
Valid voter fraud complaints in California? Dozens, not millions
With President Donald Trump alleging serious voter fraud in California, and the state’s top election official calling his claim untrue, how much voter fraud is actually under investigation in the Golden State? Not much—certainly not enough to sway the election, in which California voters chose Hillary Clinton over Trump by 4.3 million votes. And while the […]
The American Health Care Act: Refocusing Medicaid for those Most in Need
Skylar Overman was born with abnormal clefts in her brain. At only 10 years old, her condition—schizencephaly—is getting worse. As a disabled minor, Skylar qualifies for Medicaid, and a Medicaid waiver for home care would help her family as they struggle to pay mounting health care costs. But by last count, Skylar was number 754 on the wait […]
LA Election Results: the Establishment Wins
In an era when populist uprisings have brought surprising election results nationally and internationally, the opposite was true in the Los Angeles elections yesterday. The establishment held its ground as most incumbents, led by Mayor Eric Garcetti’s overwhelming victory, retained their seats and the powers-that-be held sway on high profile city and county ballot measures. […]
Could the Housing Shortage Produce Another Supermajority?
Housing affordability in California is worse than it’s ever been, according to statistics and state officials. And the housing crisis is making other things worse. In an example of how bad housing policy begets bad, consider new legislation proposed by Assemblyman Miguel Santiago, a Democrat from L.A. Santiago is rightfully frustrated with how cities and […]