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.
The Democrats’ Major Messaging Mistake
California Democratic leaders are upbeat, and talking about all they’ve accomplished. At a human level, and by conventional political standards, that’s totally understandable. After so many years of bad news and bad budgets in California, Gov. Brown and legislative leaders want to tout their progress – on the budget and in other areas. Brown’s progress has been touted nationally. The notion that California is back is frequently repeated. The end of the legislative session will certainly produce new bills that could be touted.
So what’s the problem, particularly if things are looking up?
The problem has three components. The upbeat message doesn’t match a fragile reality that could be quickly undermined, mostly by forces outside the control of politicians. The upbeat message misinforms the public about the nature of the challenges they face. And the upbeat message will make it harder for Democrats to gain the power they need to make those changes. (more…)
The CA GOP’s Conundrum
There’s an internal debate within the California Republican Party about where to dedicate resources in 2014. Some believe that it’s essential for the party to compete in the gubernatorial race, even though Jerry Brown’s reelection is essentially signed, sealed and delivered. Others argue that it’s hopeless and the party’s limited resources should be spent in races that reduce the Democratic Party’s dominance in the legislature, with the goal of eliminating the Dem’s supermajority in both houses.
Last week, when Paul Mitchell and I presented at Hacks and PACs, Paul provided an outlook from Political Data (PDI) on likely 2014 primary voters. The projection is that 50% are DemPlus, 39% are RepPlus, and 11% are other. “Plus” is a categorization used by PDI that tries to identify voting behavior by identifying independent voters who behave like they are affiliated with a party. Thus, a “no party preference” voter who contributed to Mitt Romney is likely to consistently vote Republican, despite their independent registration. (more…)
Legislative Hostage-Taking Forces Families Into Foreclosure
It’s no secret that California homeowners have suffered greatly as a result of the mortgage meltdown and the deepest recession since the Great Depression, but proponents of a new real estate tax are holding foreclosure relief hostage. That’s not the kind of government people expect, but that is exactly what is happening at the State Capitol.
Legislative compromise is a critical part of effective government, but individual bills should always be considered on their own merits. However, this story of two bills – Senate Bill (SB) 30 and SB 391 – is the poster child for the wrong approach to governance. (more…)
Will CA Trust SF Bay Bridge Re-opening
After months of controversy over the 36 cracked bolts on the new eastern span of the San Francisco/Oakland Bay Bridge, the Toll Bridge Program Oversight Committee made the decision in July to delay the Bay Bridge opening.
But that decision was tossed and other “officials” voted to adopt a “temporary fix” to the new bridge, to meet the Labor Day opening. We don’t yet know what the “temporary fix” is.
In March, one third of the 96 threaded steel rods cracked as workers tightened them down.
When confronted by reporters in May with the new construction setbacks, Gov. Jerry Brown said, ”Don’t know if it’s a setback. I mean, look, s**t happens.” (more…)
Solar Costs Not So Hot
You may have seen the spoof ad on the Internet in which a well-dressed, middle-age white man plays an executive.
“Here at Southern California Edison,” he says, smoothly and confidently, “we’re committed to rooftop solar energy. And by committed, I mean we’re committed to keeping solar panels off your roof.”
It’s kind of amusing if histrionic. More importantly, it’s part of a pushback that’s already started to try to blunt the effort by SoCal Edison and some other utilities to change the rate structure that customers pay for electricity. (more…)
Steinberg Objection Shows Gov’s Prison Plan Needed Now
Contained in Senator Darrell Steinberg’s criticism of Gov. Jerry Brown’s request for more money to deal with prison overcrowding is actually the reason why the governor’s plan should be implemented. Concerned that the prisoner problem will grow with the increase in the state’s population, Steinberg said in a press release, “For every ten prisoners finishing their sentences, nearly seven of them will commit another crime after release and end up back behind bars.” If the courts demand nearly 8,000 prisoners freed – more than 5,500 will commit a crime. Californians are at great risk.
Let’s not be accused of taking Sen. Steinberg’s position out of context. He believes that governor’s proposal for $315 million to house prisoners in private prison space and out-of-state prisons is only a short-term fix and that the money could be used more wisely in dealing with the prisoners. He thinks the money should be invested instead in mental health programs, drug treatment efforts and vocational rehabilitation. (more…)