When plastic industry reform died in the state legislature this year, so did a piece of our democracy
The 2019-2020 California State Legislative Session ended on August 31 – and the Legislature’s failure to pass the California Circular Economy and Plastic Pollution Reduction Act (SB54/AB1080) left a particularly bad stench: – Not just because our state legislature failed to confront a state/national/global plastic pollution crisis, when it had well-crafted, visionary legislation to do […]
What Is a “Loophole” in the Tax Laws?
For years around the State Capitol, as well as during ballot wars such as this year’s Proposition 15 to create a split property tax roll, we have heard the claim of tax increase proponents that their bill in the Legislature or their initiative on the ballot is simply “closing a tax loophole.” So, what exactly […]
Five Totally Out-of-the-Box Picks to Replace Kamala in the Senate
If Kamala Harris becomes vice president and Gov. Gavin Newsom has to fill her seat in the Senate, the conventional wisdom is that he will pick a statewide elected official—probably Secretary of State Alex Padilla or Attorney General Xavier Becerra. Either of those men would allow Newsom to make history, by appointing a Latino, and […]
Does more money mean better schools?
It’s by no means certain that California voters will pass Proposition 15, but if they do, it would be the largest tax increase in the state’s history. That said, it would provide a relatively small down payment on the long-standing desire of the state’s educational establishment for a massive increase in spending that’s needed, advocates […]
Whither the Supreme Court? And a Peek At Hot California Congressional Races.
Will the new Supreme Court justice tow the ultra conservative line or will she be open to compromise? We also take a look at how demographic changes are impacting California congressional elections. The podcast is here. Produced and directed by Nancy Boyarsky.
Are Elected Officials Leaders? A Test is Coming
When individuals are elected to office, they envision themselves as leaders, that the people will follow in the direction they, as leaders, lay out. But that is not always the case and the latest test for many California elected officials comes on Election Day. On the statewide ballot, voters will decide four measures put before […]
Proposition 15 Negatively Impacts Underserved Communities and the Unemployed throughout California
California holds the unwelcome distinction of having one of the highest poverty rates in the country. We also have some of the highest taxes in the country. In the middle of the worst economic downturn in generations, now is not the time for a massive tax increase that will only create more financial hardship for […]
What Our Split Roll Obsession Has Cost Us
Prop 15 isn’t new. It’s one of the oldest ideas in modern California politics. And the length of our pursuit of this small reform has cost us a lot, in time and opportunity. In fact, Democrats and spending lobbies have been pursuing a split roll since the 1980s. In 1992, a ballot initiative to split […]
The Roots of California’s Tattered Economy Were Planted Long Before the Coronavirus Arrived
California is in far worse shape economically than the great majority of other states also struggling through the pandemic. COVID-19 may be the primary cause of our current distress, but the evolving structure of our economy has exacerbated this calamity. The worst part is our state leaders should have known this all along. In September, […]