Doug McNea, Freedom Fighter
Steven Greenhut: I should consider myself fortunate that I got to spend some time this weekend drinking beer and discussing politics with my old friend Doug McNea. We were all shocked to learn that Doug passed away Saturday night after
Read MoreCarl's Jr. Chewed Up By State
MARCH 21, 2011 California has changed dramatically since 1941, when Carl and Margaret Karcher scraped together about 325 bucks to start a hot dog cart in Los Angeles – a precursor to a drive-through restaurant they opened in Anaheim and
Read MoreCA GOP Saves Eminent Domain!
Commentary MARCH 18, 2011 By STEVEN GREENHUT California Republicans love to talk about limiting government, fighting bureaucracy and keeping taxes low, but on Thursday they proved that this is nothing more than a rhetorical device. Given the opportunity to rein
Read MoreA Texas-Sized Move for Carl's Jr.?
Katy Grimes: If everything really is bigger in Texas, then the departure of the Carl’s Jr. headquarters from California could be big, big, big news. Today, Republican Assemblyman Dan Logue hosted another of his monthly Economic Recovery Group lunch meetings
Read MoreCPUC's Peevey Blows Smog at Hearing
MARCH 16, 2011 By KATY GRIMES In it’s annual update to the Legislature, the California Public Utilities Commission offered plenty of good news and optimism. But what CPUC President Michael Peevey left out could have been held at another two-hour
Read MoreEnd Soviet-Style Kids Courts
MARCH 14 The most heart-wrenching issues I’ve written about involved the state’s dependency court and foster-care systems. Officials have the power to remove children from their family homes and to place them in the care of strangers, yet the system
Read MoreSilicon Valley Flunks 6 'Killer App' Tests
MARCH 14, 2011 BY WAYNE LUSVARDI Last month with Silicon Valley elites, President Obama raised a glass of wine to toast the area’s success. He was repairing his self-damaged image with big business. But a symbolic Sword of Damocles hovered
Read MoreSteinberg Pushes 'Card Check' Bill
MAR. 10, 2011 By KATY GRIMES If the third time’s a charm, then Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg can look forward to passing a new “card check” bill. The bill is described as “the alternative electoral method for choosing collective
Read MoreSolar Industry Would Fade w/o Incentives
MAR. 9, 2011 By KATY GRIMES The California Solar Initiative Program has spent $2.1 billion in only three years. But three large utility companies and one contractor say is not enough to meet the Legislature’s solar power goal within the
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