Black Bart Nominee: Who Got the Ink?
I’m tempted to nominate retiring governor Jerry Brown for the Black Bart Award as the leading Californian in politics this year. But I realize such a trophy would not be an award for this year but a lifetime achievement award. There is no one who can match the length of time at the center of […]
Grading the Brown Record: the Public Narrative
As Gov. Jerry Brown closes his fourth term, he is being widely celebrated as a success. But his record and the state of the state, viewed more closely, doesn’t merit such celebration. I’ve been asked repeatedly by other journalists and Californians how I see Brown, and why I don’t see him as a success. So […]
Free Up Markets to Reduce Wildfire Damage and Lower Energy Bills
Shortly before wildfires such as the Camp and Woolsey fires ravaged Northern and Southern California, respectively, Gov. Jerry Brown signed a contentious bill making it easier for the state’s investor-owned utilities—primarily, Pacific Gas & Electric, Southern California Edison and San Diego Gas and Electric—to recover wildfire costs from ratepayers, but don’t expect the flames to […]
Suburbs (Still) Winning Housing Sweepstakes
The new developments may look different – including having a fair share of higher-density housing – but the trend appears to show the suburbs are attracting more people than center cities. This, despite a belief among demographers that younger generations preferred more urban living. This turn of events is baffling the experts, too. According to […]
A Modest Proposal
As we make our way through the holidays, it’s become clear to me that there’s a problem our elected officials need to solve. Food is one of our fundamental needs, as core to our survival as water, shelter and warmth. It only makes sense that as a society, we should regulate it: to make sure […]