Sacrificing for the Environment—To a Point
The Public Policy Institute of California’s extensive environmental survey revealed that Californians are strong on environmental protections, but some answers make you wonder how far residents will go to back-up their pro-environment views. When asked if they would be willing to make major lifestyle changes to address global warming, respondents overwhelmingly agreed. More than seven […]
“Affordable Housing” Could Actually Be Affordable with CEQA Reform
Yet again, California is ranked the #1 most expensive state to live in America for 2020. And while taxes and childcare costs are also in the top five in the nation, it is housing costs that really stand out. Rent and mortgage payments run an average of $3,000 per month, nearly seventy percent higher than […]
Going for Broke Chasing a Tax Gusher
In this time of Covid-19, public sector unions see an opportunity for a tax gusher. The Proposition 15 property tax increase measure funded largely by public unions could raise $12.5 billion. Assembly Bill 1253, introduced this week by fifteen Democratic legislators and encouraged by the public sector unions, is projected to raise $6.8 billion by […]
Redistricting Commission Doesn’t Need Reforms…Well, Maybe One
When the first eight commissioners to the California Citizens Redistricting Commission were chosen by random drawing the beginning of the month, there was an outcry that no Latinos were selected. Because Latinos make up the largest ethnic group in California, the Los Angeles Times editorial board called the result an embarrassment. Others joined in to […]
Disruptive Protests Don’t Serve a Purpose
Protests around the country, sometimes peaceful, sometimes violent have both helped and hurt the cause of protestors. Protests may be designed to cause discomfort but they also create negative attitudes. My recent experience tells the story. My 11-year-old boys and I were caught on the freeway this week in San Luis Obispo, which is in […]
Polling the Environment that Surrounds Covid-19 and Social Justice
The Public Policy Institute of California is out with its regular “Californians and the Environment” poll, but this time the environment measured were attitudes around the three headline grabbing issues of the last few months: effects of the coronavirus; social justice issues; and the economy. While you can delve into the entire poll here, what […]
Taking Care of Workers; What About Businesses?
Governor Gavin Newsom announced additional worker protection proposals on Friday to confront the spread of the coronavirus. While these additional protections along with pending legislation the returning legislature will consider are aimed at offering benefits for workers, not enough has been offered for employers who struggle to keep their businesses open. Among Newsom’s new initiatives […]
Time to Begin Learning about Those Confusing Ballot Propositions
For voters who don’t spend their days engrossed in policy issues, the uncomfortable initiative season is upon us. How to decide on the 12 propositions on the November ballot? Reading through the arguments both pro and con can be confusing if the voters don’t take the time to dig deeper. That probably means getting off […]
Will Masks Interfere with Courtroom Justice?
The fact that wearing or not wearing a mask has become a political symbol of state authority versus freedom seems so far out of bounds with medical reality. Think of masks representing the old marketing slogan some apple producers thought up: An apple a day keeps the doctor away. Wearing a mask, along with following […]