So Many Studies, So Little Credibility

Universities, think tanks, and community organizations in California continually churn out studies and reports to prove that state agencies and local governments need to spend more and regulate more. This flood of studies overwhelms the small number released each year in California to support public policies based on free markets and limited government. Why the […]

What Budget Crisis? Greenmailing The Northern California Power Agency.

Throughout California, budget problems are forcing local governments to pinch pennies to maintain resident service levels. Sadly, this isn’t enough in many cities and counties. Layoffs have been an unfortunate consequence of the red ink. There’s no good way to tell a loyal employee that they no longer have a job.

I’m heartened by the fact that, in the face of economic hardship, many local governments are doing everything possible to save money, be efficient, and identify ways to protect municipal services. These dedicated public servants are doing their job and representing the public sector with honor.

Sadly, it only takes one bad actor to give an entire community a bad name. A recent example is the Northern California Power Agency, an obscure Joint Powers Authority headquartered in Roseville, but representing a wide geographic region including Redding, Santa Clara, Lompoc, Ukiah, Healdsburg, Oakland, Lodi, and Truckee-Donner among others. It is an inconspicuous public consortium that represents and provides support for 20 local governments in California.
Each local government assigns a representative to serve as a commissioner.