Fox and Hounds Daily Says Goodbye
With this article, we end publication of Fox and Hounds Daily. It has been a satisfying 12½ year run. When we opened in May 2008, our site was designed to offer an opportunity to those who wished to engage in public debate on many issues, especially in politics and business, but found it difficult to get placed in newspaper op-ed pages.
Co-publishers Tom Ross, Bryan Merica and I have kept F&H going over this time investing our own time, funding, and staff help. Last year at this time we considered closing the site, however with an election on the horizon we decided to keep F&H going through the election year. With the election come and gone, and with no sense of additional resources, we have decided to close the site down.
Fox and Hounds will live on, at least, with my articles collected in the California State Library.
On a personal note, I have spent over 40 years in California policy and politics. There have been some incredible high moments and some difficult low points. It pains me that politics too often is a blood sport, frequently demonizing the motives of opponents and using the legal system as a weapon in public discourse. At Fox & Hounds, we tried to adhere to the practice of giving all a voice in the debate, yet keep the commentaries civil and avoided personal attacks.
F&H offered the opportunity to publish different perspectives (even ones that criticized my writings!). We had success as indicated by the Washington Post twice citing Fox and Hounds Daily one of the best California political websites and many other positive affirmations and comments received over the years.
Tom, Bryan and I want to thank our many readers and writers for being part of our journey. The publishers of Fox and Hounds Daily believe that we added value to California and its people. We hope you agree.
California Company Leaders Talk Export Business with President Obama
(Editor’s Note: The President’s Export Council serves as the principal national advisory committee on international trade. A number of council members are also members of the Los Angeles County business organization BizFed. Last week, BizFed members attended a meeting with the president and other administration officials to discuss exports and trade. BizFed CEO Tracy Rafter reports on the meeting with the president.)
At the President’s Export Council meeting at the White House last week, President Obama noted a steady increase in U.S. exports during his term is “one of the biggest bright spots” in the nation’s economy. In the past four years, U.S. exports have grown from $1.84 trillion to $2.2 trillion today. That equates to the creation of more than 20,000 U.S. jobs. And it is clear that California companies are playing a critical role in this economic engine – with even more potential in the future.
AB 1229 Will Make Housing More Expensive
We can all agree that housing in California is very expensive and out of reach for many. Governor Brown is considering a measure that will authorize cities throughout California to implement inclusionary zoning ordinances. The measure, AB 1229, should be vetoed, as it would make housing in California less affordable.
These types of policies force builders to sell a certain percentage of units at below market rate pricing. While this sounds like a good idea, it doesn’t make housing more affordable. Under these types of ordinances fewer homes are built and prices are higher for the vast majority of homebuyers.
Steve Glazer’s Stand – It Worked for Calvin Coolidge
Steve Glazer’s move supporting legislation to prohibit BART strikes may put him in good standing with voters much like Calvin Coolidge nearly a century ago when he made a similar stand opposing strikes that endanger the public. Both took on labor and risked defeat at the polls. For Coolidge, his position sent him on the road to the White House. For Glazer, well, it just may help him reach the California Assembly.
Glazer, Orinda City Council member, former campaign advisor to Jerry Brown, and candidate for the 16th Assembly District took the bold step of supporting a bill to ban strikes by BART workers. As the San Francisco Chronicle’s Carla Marinucci reported, he is risking support from labor in a race that includes a number of other Democratic candidates.
Raise Their Pay and Keep Them Working
Here’s a terribly unpopular idea that we should act upon anyway.
Pay California legislators more.
OK, feel free to cover your ears and scream at the top of your lungs and ask what the heck I’m thinking.
But please keep reading. I’m thinking four things.
Consumer Attorneys, Tort Reformers Criticize Harkey Lawsuit
Few Capitol battles are as heated as the ongoing feud between the trial lawyers and advocates for tort reform. Yet, the two groups have found themselves on the same side of one litigation controversy. Both sides are critical of Orange County Assemblywoman Diane Harkey’s defamation lawsuit against a fellow Republican lawmaker.
In late August, Harkey filed a civil lawsuit against State Senator Mark Wyland, R-San Diego, in Orange County Superior Court for defamation, presenting her in a false light and intentional infliction of emotional distress. The dispute centers on comments Wyland made at a summer Tea Party event, in which he allegedly referred to a failed investment company managed by Harkey’s husband, Dan. Both Wyland and Harkey are candidates for the Board of Equalization.
Our Autism Job Club Pivots
In the workforce field, as in other fields, most start-ups will need to pivot several times to survive. So it is with our Bay Area Autism Job Club.
The Autism Job Club is a project of AASCEND (Autism, Asperger Syndrome Coalition for Education, Networking and Development), the volunteer Bay Area group for adults on the autistic spectrum. We have undertaken three employment strategies since 2011, and each strategy has changed course at least one time.