Remote Voting by the Legislature should be Narrowly Framed
Most of us have logged onto a Zoom call or Teams meeting or Facebook happy hour. But what about remote voting – by the Legislature, anyway? What would have seemed absurd in January is now under serious consideration: a proposal to enshrine in the State Constitution protocols for Senators and Assembly Members to vote on […]
California Lawmakers have Clashing Views Regarding Proxy Voting
California lawmakers participated in history-making the other day as a majority of House members voted by proxy for the first time safely ensconced in their homes during the coronavirus pandemic that is changing all the rules of normal life. The legislation to add millions to the “paycheck protection” program especially for small businesses that have […]
The EPA Should Retain the Existing National Ambient Air Quality Standards
Energy efficiency, the cost of delivering reliable electricity, and respiratory health have taken on an even greater importance for California with the recent turmoil brought about by the ongoing COVID-19 crisis. In mid-April the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that it would “retain without changes,” the existing National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for […]
Disruption
Bill and Sherry explore President Donald Trump’s potent weapon, disruption, throwing the bright shiny object into the national debate to take attention away from the rising coronavirus toll and a distressed economy. His targets include vote by mail and Joe Scarborough. We also reach into California history for reasons why some Californians are resistant to […]
Demystifying the Legislative Process
California’s legislative process may not follow the normal structure in these abnormal times. How the process works out—including the Senate’s possible use of remote voting and the Assembly’s meeting as a committee of the whole—is taking shape to deal with the threat of the coronavirus. Yet, when we return to normal, there is a structure […]
How to Free the Budget Hostages
Governor Newsom’s Revised Budget proposes cuts to programs in the event more federal COVID funds are not provided. We propose a solution that would free the 10 programs below and improve the state’s structural deficit without jeopardizing the financial security of retired state employees. The first eight programs would be funded by savings from substituting Oregon’s or Colorado’s programs for providing […]
Why Californians Should Celebrate Monterey’s Birthday
Monterey turns 250 next month. The rest of the state should claim the date as its birthday too. Monterey’s beginnings are the closest thing California, an orphan of a state, has to a birth story. Admission Day—September 9, 1850, when California became an American state—isn’t a birthday, since California was a province of Spain and […]
Where’s the “science” that Governor Newsom continues to preach?
Listening to the daily COVID-19 virus updates from Governor Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Garcetti, brings to mind one of the best-known quotes from Clara Peller who was a manicurist and American character actress who, at the age of 81, starred in the 1984 “where’s the beef?” advertising campaign for the Wendy’s fast food restaurant […]
Past Time for a Haircut
As history reveals, poor economies make for political trouble. That’s why Gov. Gavin Newsom’s move to Stage 3 of his recovery plan, which means under certain conditions—and in all but 11 counties–hair salons and barbershops will open, is both an economic plus and good politics. Long, shaggy hair will be sheared and join the haircuts […]
Unleash private enterprise to jumpstart California’s economy with these four moves
Two months into California’s economic lockdown, it’s time to start working on creating a V-shaped economic recovery. Gov. Gavin Newsom has shown strong leadership during the past couple months in response to the coronavirus outbreak. Now he needs to unleash the power of private enterprise to protect our livelihoods. He made the right decision in […]