Tom Steyer in Conversation – And Some Follow up Questions
Assembly member Jacqui Irwin had a sit down conversation with environmentalist and NextGen Climate president Tom Steyer in Ventura County Tuesday, probing his positions and asking questions based on criticism of his agenda. There needed to be follow-up questions to Steyer’s answers. For instance, Irwin asked about poorer communities, especially in central California, where there […]
Could California Decide Republican Presidential Nominee?
Given the large field of Republican presidential candidates, no clear frontrunner and the real possibility that delegates will be dispersed among many candidates during the primary season, it is conceivable that California Republican voters in the June primary could provide the needed delegates for one of the candidates to secure the nomination. While California has […]
Legal Age Issues: For Voting-Going Down? For Smoking-Going Up?
In San Francisco there was a move to lower the voting age to 16; in the California legislature there is a bill to raise the legal age for smoking from 18 to 21. When can teens and young adults reach the maturity to make important decisions for themselves? I’m old enough to clearly remember the […]
Property Tax Increase Initiative Filed –Not the One Everyone Expected
While discussion about amending Proposition 13 to reassess commercial property has heated up, especially with the introduction of SCA 5 by Senators Mitchell and Hancock, a different property tax increase measure was filed with the Attorney General’s office. “Lifting Children and Families Out of Poverty Act” is a 47-page detailed, complex plan to fund specific […]
Rise of the Referendum—But Not for All Issues
Referendums on legislative actions may be making a comeback in California. Earlier this week opponents of SB 277, the mandatory vaccination measure, began their quest to refer that legislative action to the voters for the November 2016 election. Already qualified to appear on that ballot is a referendum on banning single use plastic bags in […]
Road Tax Approach Similar to Prop 30 Strategy
All agree that the roads desperately need revenue yet new funds from the increased budget were not directed to the roads. It’s been that way for some time – transportation infrastructure pretty much ignored by general funds instead relying on shrinking targeted funds. Shorting revenue for a vital service can set up a play for […]
Another Study, Similar Result—Oil Industry Essential to CA Economy
In 2009, the Milken Institute issued a report on the impact California’s oil and gas industry had on California. The report stated the statewide impact was immense with a ripple effect of over 300,000 jobs and a $46 billion impact on the state’s economy. Now comes a second study from the Institute of Applied Economics of […]
Oil Math
Am I the only one that finds billionaire/environmentalist Tom Steyer siding with Consumer Watchdog’s attack on the oil companies counter intuitive? Consumer Watchdog and Steyer say the oil companies are manipulating production so Californians have to pay more for gasoline. They say it adds to the cost of gasoline for the consumer. Steyer’s goal is […]
GOP a Player Again in Special Sessions
Jerry Brown made the Republican legislators relevant again. Brown’s call for special sessions for transportation and Medi-Cal funding invariably brings talk about possible tax increases. With a two-thirds vote needed to raise taxes, and the Democratic majority shy of the super two-thirds mark, Republicans must be part of the conversation. Despite their best efforts offering […]
Will Union Members Stay if Friedrichs Wins Case against CTA?
The United States Supreme Court announcement that it will consider the Friedrichs vs. California Teachers Association case next fall produced handwringing and dire predictions that this could result in the end of public unions. Those who make those statements must think that the public unions are not offering representation that their members want. If the […]