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.

Taxpayers Say ‘No Mas’

A just-released survey by Probolsky Research shows that most California voters now oppose new or increased local taxes. A majority, 55.5%, would vote “no” on a local measure that would increase taxes in order to maintain service levels, while only 34.8% would vote “yes.”

Admittedly, a poll is just a snapshot of attitudes during a moment in time and those views can change in response to new information. For example, in November of last year, San Diegans elected a new mayor — an election being the ultimate poll of public sentiment. Now that the new mayor is facing multiple accusations of sexual harassment, many of his top supporters are calling for his resignation, and were an election — or poll — held today, it is quite certain the mayor would come out on the losing end. (more…)

The Napolitano Selection and the Quest for Revenues

Among the many insights offered about the choice of Janet Napolitano as the new president of the University of California is the suggestion that she would be a person who could help increase revenue for the university system. The Los Angeles Times news report on the selection of Napolitano stated that she “may be able to raise more money and play a more influential role in Sacramento and Washington.”

As a high profile individual she can work the corridors of power to seek more money from the legislature as well as increase donations and grants to the schools.  She might also be willing – as a former politician – to take the heat of a political campaign that sought more taxes. (more…)

And Bring Everyone’s Phone and Email Records With You, Janet

I hope she starts by requiring TSA searches of any member of the legislature who steps on one of her campuses.

The appointment of former Arizona Governor and Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano as the new president of the University of California system is high-risk. A politician from three highly suspect worlds — Arizona, the law enforcement world and the security state — will be greeted with suspicion inside and outside the university. If she makes some bad moves, she might not last long.

But that same unconventional background also offers hope for her appointment. Napolitano may be just tough and political enough to make some real progress for UC. (more…)

In California, Taxpayers “Pay More But Get Less”

The never-ending debate in California politics for the last 30 years has been pretty much gone something like this: Californians need to give government more money or drastic cuts in services will have to be made.

Leading voices in the two political parties have lined up on the extremes of that debate and proceed to tug back and forth. So after 30 years, where are we? An analysis of government spending compared to service levels provided shows both sides won – if you can call it that.

California citizens are paying more for state government than ever before, but still receiving less in services. In many key service areas, Californians are receiving less for their tax dollars than residents in other states and less than previous generations of Californians received for their tax dollars. (more…)

The Truce That Could Save American Cities

Some states, such as New York and California, are loudly proclaiming that they have returned from the fiscal abyss. Maybe for now, but the future doesn’t look so good when long-term debt and pension obligations are factored in. Taken together, our 50 states owe $1 trillion in unfunded pension obligations.

But right now the most severe and imminent fiscal crisis is in the nation’s cities. For one thing, some states are trying to improve their balance sheets by cutting aid to localities while imposing new mandates for everything from housing to green policies. Governors in states like Pennsylvania, New York and California have b been pushing obligations down to levels of government below them. California Gov. Jerry Brown’s ‘Realignment’ strategy put the responsibility of state justice programs on local governments (though this came with promises of increased state aid). Brown also oversaw the dissolution of over 400 Finance Redevelopment Agencies, some of which may now be forced into bankruptcy. So while state debt is expected to decline by $1.7 billion next year, local debt is set to increase by $600 million. (more…)

Trust the Voters, Not the Reformers

Anyone want John Burton picking your assemblyman?

What about having Jim Brulte decide who will represent you in the state Senate?

Yet in a misguided bit of nostalgia for smoke-filled rooms, that’s exactly what’s being suggested by some reform-minded folks as a solution for low-turnout special elections.

Timm Herdt, a veteran Sacramento reporter for the Ventura County Star, wrote a piece recently about how a spate of legislative special elections, most sparked by incumbents moving up the political ladder, is costing the state hundreds of thousands of dollars for not much of a turnout. (more…)