Loren Kaye
Loren Kaye was appointed president of the California Foundation for Commerce and Education in January 2006. He has devoted his career to developing, analyzing and implementing public policy issues in California, with a special emphasis on improving the state's business and economic climate. He also was a gubernatorial appointee to the state's Little Hoover Commission, charged with evaluating the efficiency and effectiveness of state agencies and programs. Kaye served in senior policy positions for Governors Pete Wilson and George Deukmejian, including Cabinet Secretary to the Governor and Undersecretary of the California Trade and Commerce Agency. See full bio.
Restraint Key in Handling New, Post-Pandemic Normal
The enduring lesson for policy makers as California recovers from the Pandemic Era should be restraint. California enjoys a bountiful budget surplus, but nobody...
Governor Newsom has Proposed the Fourth State Budget of His Term, and It’s a...
The proposed budget tops out at more than a quarter-trillion dollars, larger than the entire economies of Vietnam, the Czech Republic or Portugal. The...
State Leaders Should Use Budget Surplus to Restore Tax Incentives, Repay UI Debt
Only 18 months ago, expecting a massive pandemic-induced collapse of economic activity, California finance officials predicted a staggering $54 billion state budget deficit. The...
The People’s Voice: Drought and Wildfire Dominate Climate Issues
Californians strongly agree about the importance of addressing climate change, but are not convinced that costly, disruptive policies are the right approach. The seventh...
The People’s Voice: Housing Affordability Frustrates Voters
Californians are deeply anxious about the cost of living and working in the Golden State. The seventh CalChamber poll, The People’s Voice, 2021, found...
The People’s Voice: Voters Prefer Better Rules for Telecommuting
The pandemic has changed how we live and work, certainly in the short term and probably longer. The seventh CalChamber poll, The People’s Voice,...
The People’s Voice: What Do Voters Want?
"There go the people. I must follow them, for I am their leader."
– Likely apocryphal quote attributed to French Revolutionary.
Voters and their representatives often...
The People’s Voice: Voters Anxious About Public Safety
Last week we reported about California voters’ deep concerns over an increasing cost of living and the fear of falling further behind. Eighty-five percent...
Voice of the People: Economic Security Top of Mind for Voters
Increasing cost of living and fear of falling further behind add up to California voters apprehensive about their future. The seventh annual CalChamber poll,...
Student Advocates Submit Education Initiative to Attorney General
Frustrated by years of deteriorating education quality in California public schools, a coalition of advocates for students submitted a ballot measure to the Attorney...
Is Direct Democracy Under Attack in California?
Sometimes it seems that nobody likes California’s direct democracy — except the voters.
Some legislators seem to resent it. During the last legislative session (and...
People’s Referendum Power Under Attack from Legislature
California voters are well acquainted with the initiative and recall, two of their three venerable political accountability powers. The former is a common feature...
It’s Time to Rebalance the Power Dynamic in California’s Schools
The best guess by state leaders—and fondest hope for parents—is that California public schools will fully reopen their campuses this fall to all students....
Legislature Passes Budget, Clearing the Way for Real Budget Negotiations
The Legislature fulfilled its constitutional obligation this week by approving a state budget just ahead of the June 15 deadline. But meeting the formal...
Everybody Talks About California’s Housing Crisis, But Nobody Will Solve It
There isn’t a politician, economist, social justice advocate or journalist who hasn’t viewed with alarm the unrelenting climb in housing prices and rents, the...
Uncertainty Hurts R&D Investment That’s Key to State Competitiveness
California’s innovation-based economy pays economic dividends not only in our traditional technology hubs, but in every region of the state and in a wide...
Revenue Surge Permits Huge Hike in Budget Plan
Relying on a “once in a lifetime” surge in state revenues, Governor Gavin Newsom is proposing a revised state budget for 2021–22 roughly $40...
California Employers Should Not Be the New Social Safety Net
The Super Bowl may be over, but that hasn’t stopped California labor unions and their allies from moving the goal posts.
Currently, labor unions are...
We’ll Need to Replace the Gas Tax in Transition to ZEVs
It’s full steam ahead for the Newsom administration’s zero-emission vehicle strategy. But this enthusiasm for a new generation of automobile technology may degrade the...
Still Awaiting Results from Billions in New Taxes for Homelessness, Lawmakers Want Businesses to...
It was only a year ago that Governor Gavin Newsom devoted his entire State-of-the-State address to the dual challenges of housing and homelessness, calling...