Remote Work and Best Practices: The Coronavirus Workplace Series
(This is the second in a series on the impacts of the coronavirus on employment and the workplace. The first is here.) In the old economy (three weeks ago), remote work was a growing but still limited part of the workforce. Only around 5.3% of American employees worked primarily from home in 2018. Within the past […]
About Those Paper Products Flying Off the Shelves
(Editors’ Note: Below is a press release from the American Forest & Paper Association with information we thought you’d find interesting.) American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) President and CEO Heidi Brock issued the following statement regarding consumer demand for tissue products: “American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) members are committed to the safety of our workforce and […]
Panic Buying and Rationing
The Covid-19 crisis has brought a rash of panic buying off market shelves. While officials and commentators try to calm the public and argue that such behavior is irrational, fear has taken over. Franklin Roosevelt’s reassuring words during his first inaugural address that, “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself,” does not […]
The Rainy Day Fund Speaks
I’m ready for my close-up, Ms. Gerwig! OK, as a budget fund without acting credits, I shouldn’t expect Greta Gerwig to put me in her next film—even if both she and I are Sacramento natives. But the time is coming—quite quickly—when I, California’s humble Rainy Day Fund, will stand at the center of our state’s […]
Bank of Los Angeles: A Pet Project That Won’t Die
In November of 2018, 56% of the City’s voters rejected Charter Amendment B that would have allowed the City to establish a municipal bank despite the measure being endorsed by 170 organizations and members of the political establishment, including Mayor Eric Garcetti and 12 members of the City Council, including then City Council President Herb […]
How Soon Will CA Budget Feel Effects of Covid-19?
As has been reported by many news outlets, California’s robust economy is expected to take a hit as members of the public and businesses respond to COVID-19. Workers and businesses are feeling effects now but how soon will the state government budget feel it? The first clues come with the state revenue reports on tax […]
Californians Liked Bernie Sanders, Voters in Other States Disagree
Although we are still awaiting final delegate totals from California’s slow-count March 3rd presidential primary, it is clear that Sen. Bernie Sander’s popular vote bested his only viable remaining rival, former Vice President Joe Biden. But it may have been the Vermonter’s last hurrah! California does not have a winner-take-all system awarding 277 delegates proportionately […]
Saying ‘Goodbye’ to California
By STUART WALDMAN It’s incomprehensible to me that anyone would want to leave California. Sure, we might toy with the idea of a mansion somewhere in flyover territory, but at the end of the day, the San Fernando Valley is home. But apparently, leaving California is a real option for many people. We know that […]
Social Changes with COVID-19 are a prelude to life with less fossil fuels
While the world is feverously trying to reduce emissions from fossil fuel usage, we get hit with the horrific contagious Coronavirus COVID-19. We’ve seen extensive self-imposed social adjustments to transportation that are very similar to what will be required to live with less fossil fuels in the future. We’ve seen a serious reduction in the […]