It’s Time to Get Serious About Solar
Not long ago a good-news story on solar was presented on these pages. It reported how California policy-makers and energy regulators had approved some new-home developments using offsite solar systems instead of individual rooftop panels – a great savings for new and future homebuyers and an alternative to the state’s mandate of solar on individual […]
California needs a party that stands for common sense
The Common Sense Party, a new political party being formed in California, stands for fiscal responsibility, social inclusivity and pragmatic decision-making. The party has no checklist of positions to which adherence is demanded. Instead, a candidate must show that she or he makes decisions on the facts, not prejudice. People of good faith who disagree […]
Mental Illness and Drug Abuse are not police functions
I joined the LAPD in 1968 and served for 33 years before retiring and moving onto a political career as an elected L.A. City Councilman. Now, I look back at my experiences and compare them to what is happening today in America and in particular Los Angeles. The LAPD has come under attack from certain […]
The presidential campaign ignites and the California legislature flounders
What a week! On the presidential campaign, Joe Biden emerges from his basement and attacks President Donald Trump as gutless. And the California legislature is shamed by a nursing mother, Assemblywoman Buffy Wicks, bringing her baby onto the Assembly floor to urge her colleagues to vote on an important housing bill. Get the Inside Golden […]
From the Government, “Do As We Say, Not As We Do” File
Government elected officials are proud and often boastful when it comes to making laws that tell the rest of us how to live but legislators many times don’t have to follow the same mandates they require of others. This week, California witnessed the latest entries in the “Do as we say, not as we do” […]
California Must Address Its Dwindling Recycling Capacity
California has for decades led the world in recycling and in making the connection between recycling and environmental and economic sustainability. State laws and policies promulgated in Sacramento have promoted this leadership. Individual Californians have also enthusiastically embraced recycling because they know that it helps reduce pollution, fights climate-change, reduces the need for raw materials, […]
To Fix the Energy Shortage, Forgot the Blame Game
Even as California continues to deal with the consequences of repeated rolling blackouts, people are already fighting over who is to blame. In this case there are a lot of usual suspects, ranging from incompetent utility planning to a mania for mandated renewable power. But while the blame game has its place, it also misses […]
Bills on the Governor’s Desk – 2020 Session
Now that the 2020 California Legislative Session has adjourned, it is time to look at the forthcoming gubernatorial actions. Pursuant to Article IV, Section 10(b)(2), “Any bill passed by the Legislature before September 1 of the second calendar year of the biennium of the legislative session and in the possession of the Governor on or […]
‘Public Information’ to Promote New Taxes, Paid for by Taxpayers
Did you know your taxes are being used to advocate for more taxes? Well, not exactly. It’s against the law for public agencies to engage in “advocacy.” The people running these agencies who want to raise your taxes may only spend public funds in order to “communicate” with you about their proposals. And so they […]