Blog

CA fiscal health ranks 44th in country

In fiscal year 2013-14, California saw a slight uptick in the condition of its fiscal health, based on fiscal solvency metrics as reported by the Mercatus Center at George Mason University. California placed 44th among U.S. states for fiscal health,

Lawsuit filed over use of LCFF dollars in L.A. Unified

Chris Reed July 7, 2015

The Local Control Funding Formula enacted by the Legislature in 2013 at Gov. Jerry Brown’s behest was billed as a great way to get additional help to English-learners and foster children in California public schools. It changed the formula under

Right-to-work states see union membership, revenues drop

Josephine Djuhana July 7, 2015

With Friedrichs v. CTA pending before the U.S. Supreme Court, stakeholders and spectators alike are curious to see not only the outcome of the court case, but also the greater implications tied to union membership and influence in legislative bodies

CA renewable energy yield yo-yos, raises concern

Chris Reed July 6, 2015

Gov. Jerry Brown and big majorities in the California Legislature are all aboard with plans to have the state get 50 percent of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory goes even further. As Vox

CTA seems resigned to losing landmark dues case

Chris Reed July 6, 2015

The U.S. Supreme Court’s decision last week to hear Friedrichs v. California Teachers Association drew considerable national attention as having the potential to deliver a body blow to public employee unions. In the case, an Anaheim teacher challenges the 1977 Supreme

Bill establishes new subsidy for biomass power plants

Josephine Djuhana July 5, 2015

Legislators seek to establish a Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, which would be funded by the cap and trade program adopted by the California Air Resources Board under AB32, and appropriate those dollars to the California Energy Commission to subsidize biomass

House legislation targets environmental laws

Josephine Djuhana July 2, 2015

Last week, House Republicans introduced legislation to revise water policies in California and the rest of the West Coast, improving water reliability and making environmental laws more flexible. H.R. 2898, authored by California Congressman David Valadao, is backed by the

Smartphone kill-switch mandate takes effect

Josephine Djuhana July 2, 2015

On Wednesday, legislation requiring kill-switch technology for all smartphones sold in California took effect. Senate Bill 962 requires companies to embed specific kill switches in smartphones at the point of sale; the bill was passed by the Legislature and approved

How will business lobby influence special session on transportation funds?

Joel Fox July 1, 2015

Governor Jerry Brown called special sessions to find permanent revenue sources to fund transportation infrastructure and Medi-Cal. The issue of keeping up with deteriorating roads has been a special concern to the business community and Brown is counting on business

PUC board dissident has dubious history with PG&E

Chris Reed July 1, 2015

A member of the California Public Utilities Commission board who has attempted to establish himself as a critic of the PUC status quo by criticizing the scandal-ridden agency’s push for a much flatter electricity-pricing tier system could have a tough