Brown’s Legacy and Republican activist revenge
In what was an uncertain move, last month, Brown and his allies pushed for an extension of the AB 32-imposed cap and trade scheme to 2030. While the necessary majority to pass the bill was in no doubt, Governor Brown insisted that the extension receive a two-thirds majority to avoid lawsuits insisting the cap and trade […]
CA GOP Must Adapt to the Marketplace
Last month, I discussed the importance of Californians not allowing a Democratic super-majority. Well, with all votes now counted in California, Democrats have won the super-majority in both chambers. Republicans Eric Linder, David Hadley, and Young Kim lost re-elections in the Assembly giving Democrats 55 seats. In the Senate, Assemblywoman Ling Ling Chang lost a […]
Coastal California Shouldn’t Ignore CA’s ‘Flyover’ Area
With Donald Trump’s surprising Electoral College victory – 306 to 232 as of November 16 – a lot of focus has been on the angst and anger of voters in so-called “fly over” portions of the country. Regardless of your opinions of now President-elect Trump or former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, the 2016 Presidential […]
Heading Toward a One-Party System is a Bad Idea
I normally try to keep my commentary partisan-free and focus on policy arguments and facts. But the 2016 election is right around the corner and some partisan tough talk and reality checking is needed. First, California Democrats are looking increasingly likely they’ll win back legislative super-majorities. Regardless of your ideology or political affiliation, absolute one-party rule is […]
Is It Time To Reconsider California’s Initiative System?
On November 8, 2016 Californians will once again have the opportunity to not only elect (or re-elect) local, state, and federal representatives, but also to directly participate in generating public policy. While California’s initiative system is often romanticized, its inflexibility often leads California down a path ripe with unintended consequences and few options for fixing past mistakes. […]
The Best/Worst Bills of 2015-2016 & A Critique of California’s Initiative System
Over the last two years, the State Legislature has introduced and considered over 5,000 bills, resolutions, and constitutional amendments. Over the last few months, I’ve taken a cursory look at some of these, nominating the best and worst bills under consideration. Today, I announced the winners in each category. BEST: To recap, the nominees are SB 1248, AB […]
The Best and Worst Bills Facing the Returning Legislature
The Legislature returns on Monday from their summer recess and with just one more month left in the 2015-2016 legislative session, let’s get right back into the best and worst bill nominees. BEST: Budget Trailer Bill 707: California is one of the few states that doesn’t have “by right” housing protocols; that is that as long […]
Thoughts on the Primary Results – the Local Edition
Yesterday, I touched on some initial thoughts on the June 7 California Primary. Caveats aside that there are still more VBM and provisional ballots yet to be counted, I’d like to examine some local election results. Local elections often don’t get the coverage they deserve, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t important. Ballot Measures – Lots of […]
Thoughts on the Primary Results
Caveats aside that there are more VBM and provisional ballots yet to be counted, here are some initial thoughts on what happened this past Tuesday (all numbers are from 8:41 AM June 8 Secretary of State update). Presidential Race – Ending with a whimper While the Republican contest was supposed to be a barnburner only […]
If an All Democratic Final in U.S. Senate Race–its Meaning to the GOP
In 2014, two Republicans almost advanced to November under California’s Top Two system in the State Controller race. This year, it may be two Democrats advancing in the open U.S. Senate election. I’ve already detailed the math problem Republicans have in the Senate race and thus far, it appears Loretta Sanchez is receiving the 18% or so I […]