No New Gas-Powered Cars? Hello Vehicle Mileage Tax
California officials have been toying with the idea of a Vehicle Mileage Traveled Tax (VMT) for some time but due to Governor Newsom’s executive order that only zero-emission cars must be sold starting in 2035 you can bet that the VMT will become a reality. If Californians switch to electric vehicles under the executive order, […]
Reading the Props: Prop 15—Who Cares?
Every two years, I read the full text of all statewide ballot propositions—because at least one Californian should. Next is Prop 15. Proposition 15 is nothing but hype. Its proponents say it will boost the schools and enact tax fairness and reform the previously untouchable Prop 13. Its opponents say it will threaten Prop 13, […]
California Flavor Ban has Online Loophole
Much has been written about the recently passed flavor ban on tobacco products, which was signed into law by Governor Newsom. California now joins a short list of progressive states, like Massachusetts and New York, which have taken aggressive action to ban flavored tobacco products from being sold. While this is certainly progress in reducing […]
How to Realign California Politics
The working class, which still constitutes a supermajority of California’s voters, is being destroyed by the policies enacted by the Democratic party. This is why political realignment in California can happen fast. In three fundamental areas, public education, land use, and energy infrastructure, California’s current policies are destroying lives, livelihoods, and land. And in all […]
You Too Can Attend a Global Forum on Direct Democracy on Tuesday
(Editor’ Note—Previously published, just a reminder.) For 12 years, I’ve been putting on Global Forums on Modern Direct Democracy, to look at initiative and referendum around the world, and how California stacks up. The forum has spun off a very handy global database on direct democracy and the International League of Democracy Cities. But to […]