Tag: Loren Kaye
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...
Clock Is Ticking On Legislative Action to Avert Employer Tax Increase
Like the rest of California society, employers are cautiously hopeful the worst of the pandemic has passed. The wreckage of human life, family health,...
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...
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...
Is Unaffordable California Still the Land of Economic Opportunity?
This article first appeared in The Sacramento Bee.
California is the land of opportunity because we were opportunistic. By luck, agility or careful planning, we...
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...
Governor’s Budget Proposes Economic Relief, No New Taxes
Nobody would have been surprised if Governor Gavin Newsom had presented his new state budget wearing a neck brace. The whiplash from budget boom...
California’s Challenge: Transforming Crisis to Opportunity
For much of our history, California was the land of opportunity because we were opportunistic. Whether by luck, agility or careful planning, we leveraged...
CalChamber Poll Shows Voters Want Sensible Policies, No New Taxes
Last week the California Chamber of Commerce reported that Californians are taking the COVID-19 pandemic seriously, and expect their elected leaders to do the...
CalChamber Poll: Voters Serious about Addressing Pandemic Consequences
Californians are taking the COVID-19 pandemic seriously, and expect their elected leaders to do the same.
The sixth annual California Chamber of Commerce poll, The...
Ballot Measures Mostly Do No Harm
Every two years California voters face a mixed bag of ballot measures, many often hostile to business and economic development. This year was no...
Two Days Post-Election: Wins and Trends
This election is one that seems like it will never end. However, there is one silver lining now that election day has passed: the...
Census Deadline Approaches
The unremitting pandemic and economic crises of 2020 have overshadowed what would normally have been a dominant event of community action: the decennial census....
Legislature Fumbles Chance to Boost Economic Recovery
The California Legislature fumbled a chance to boost economic recovery in the state by choosing the easy path: business-as-usual.
Facing the three horsemen of the...
Legislature Should Stick to COVID-19 Priorities
Despite their leaders’ vow to concentrate their attention on the pandemic and economic crises, it’s business as usual at the California Legislature.
In early spring,...