The suggestions of a replacement for California Senator Kamala Harris when she resigns to assume the office of Vice-President are piling up. Most come from interest groups with rationales that one of their own deserve the prized senate seat primarily based on the candidate’s identification with a demographic group. All this sounds contradictory in a […]

The odds were all to the Yes on Proposition15’s liking. If they were ever going to inflict changes to California’s iconic property tax law, Proposition 13, the 2020 general election was the time to do it. But Prop 15 failed because of the respect Proposition 13 still has from Californians. The Yes campaign saw this […]

On this day to honor veterans, I’m taking a day away from writing about policy and politics that affect California, although you will find other posts on California issues on our site today. Despite coming out of a raucous election season, we should still remember what this country stands for and honor those who serve […]

Last week the Los Angeles Police Department laid out plans to deal with a smaller budget forced on the LAPD in part by a $150 million cut as a result of the police reform movement. The risks of changes in policing strategies will be measured against citizens’ safety. While it’s too early to judge the […]

If the Proposition 15 commercial property tax increase remains behind and ultimately is rejected when all votes have been tabulated, pro-taxers in the legislature will look for other avenues to increase revenue. One such approach might be taxing big tech, which has weathered the pandemic storm better than most industries. Don’t be surprised if other […]

Measured against a number of statewide ballot propositions, the California legislature apparently has a different vision on governing the state than the people they serve. Importantly, two measures that challenged legislative actions intended to lead policy change across the nation were upended by voters. A couple of ballot questions placed on the ballot by the […]

Once upon a time, only three decades ago, crime and punishment were a powerful political message in California. No more. Results of the November election indicate that voters are looking for different avenues to deal with crime and punishment issues. The state that pioneered the Three Strikes movement and built new prisons to accommodate many […]

As often noted by political observers, public and private sector unions are strong political forces in California. While they may have once again supported candidates to their liking up and down the ballot, as this is written they have not been as successful wielding their influence on voters through ballot measures. Let’s add the proper […]

It’s decision day for candidate and policy issues in California and many questions that have surfaced over the last few months will be decided by the voters, which will give us a good read where California stands, at least for the time being. What we are wondering about? Will Proposition 13 stand up against a […]

When individuals are elected to office, they envision themselves as leaders, that the people will follow in the direction they, as leaders, lay out. But that is not always the case and the latest test for many California elected officials comes on Election Day.  On the statewide ballot, voters will decide four measures put before […]