California economy

CA editorial boards cool to anti-Uber power play

The editorial pages of the state’s largest newspapers largely agree about Tom Torlakson’s being undeserving of a second term as state superintendent of public instruction. Given the breadth of ideological views among these papers, that’s pretty rate. Now, rarely enough,

Chart shows warning on economy, CA budget

John Seiler August 21, 2014

Since the 9/11 attack almost 13 years ago, the Federal Reserve Board has been inflating the dollar. Everybody has noticed the increases in food, gas and other prices. That’s why the supposed “records” set by the stock market are suspect.

SoCal job growth slows

John Seiler August 19, 2014

“California’s back!” is Gov. Jerry Brown’s re-election slogan. Certainly, in some areas, such as Silicon Valley, where the Great Recession hardly hurt. But in much of the rest of the state, stagnation still is the order of the day. That’s

Immigration: Feinstein acts like Chicago Dem, not CA Dem

Chris Reed August 19, 2014

California Sen. Dianne Feinstein won’t put up with the CIA spying on lawmakers. Her repeated denunciations of the agency this year have been remarkable, considering her decades as a leading figure in the national security establishment. But Feinstein isn’t so

Study: CA cost of doing business high

John Seiler August 18, 2014

Yet another study shows that the cost of doing business in California is much higher than in other states. This one is by Andrew Chang & Company for the California Chamber of Commerce. They provide some useful graphs. 1. “California

$Geothermal: New front in CA fracking war$

Geothermal: New front in CA fracking war

Chris Reed August 18, 2014

The war over fracking in California could soon have a second front. The Economist has become the latest publication to document how the newly refined and improved energy exploration technique using precisely aimed underground water cannons works not just to

Tesla could get enviro exemption

John Seiler August 15, 2014

California is known for egalitarianism and extreme environmental laws. But some animals are more equal than others. The Times reported: The state would exempt Tesla Motors Inc. from some of its toughest environmental regulations as part of an incentive package being

CA middle-class jobs shrinking

John Seiler August 12, 2014

Life is good in California for the rich, who enjoy the most beautiful place on earth. And for the poor, who enjoy the country’s best welfare benefits. Not so much for the middle class. The Times reported: On the surface,

CA on sidelines as brown energy revolution unfolds

Chris Reed August 6, 2014

In the 41 years since the OPEC cartel begin throwing its weight around, U.S. consumers have gotten used to fluctuations in the price of gasoline. The dynamics have gotten pretty stable in recent decades as OPEC has deradicalized. In the

Mitch Albom, CWD contributor talk about Silicon Valley, diversity

Chris Reed July 31, 2014

Jesse Jackson’s on-again, off-again campaign against Silicon Valley for the lack of blacks, Latinos and women in its tech workforce is revving up. This is from a USA Today story this week: “There’s no talent shortage. There’s an opportunity shortage,”