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The right fix for California’s housing problems
Christopher Thornberg’s “Stop Dissin’ the Housing Market — Set it Free!” is just what California’s housing markets need. Hail to this Beacon Economics PhD! Want more housing? as Thronberg asks: Stop messing with markets! Thornberg’s piece, which can be found by clicking on the following link, should be required reading for all 120 legislators at the state Capitol […]
California Dems Learn Gun Control Easy in Theory, Difficult in Reality
Since the passage of “Gunpocalypse” (June 30, 2016), and Proposition 63 (November 8, 2016), California Democrats have learned that gun control is easy to pass but difficult to implement. The problem for Democrats is that they have already passed so many gun laws that they have now begun trading the real for the theoretical, struggling […]
The injustice of ‘social justice’ on college campuses
With the exception of a relatively small percentage of sociopaths, psychopaths and otherwise troubled individuals, people generally want to do the right thing. We value freedom (at least, in the abstract, though too many do not apply this philosophy consistently) and we want a fair shake, both for ourselves and for others. In short, we […]
Jim Lacy on Trump’s First Six Months as President – VIDEO
In this clip from ABC-TV’s “Weekend Breakfast” (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) airing July 23, California Political Review publisher Jim Lacy responds to reporter’s questions about the presidential pardon power, the Russia investigation, and explains President Trump’s most meaningful accomplishments in his first six months in office.
CalPERS touts investment gains while ignoring long-term problems
Last week’s announcement by the California Public Employees’ Retirement System that it had strong 11.2 percent returns on its investment portfolio in 2016-2017 after terrible returns the two preceding years prompted ebullience from the pension giant’s supporters. Sacramento Democratic insider Steve Maviglio and the Californians for Retirement Security – a union-backed group that opposes any effort to change public […]
CPR Blog
JFK or Patrick Henry?
May 29 marked the 100th anniversary of John F. Kenney’s birth, which has triggered multiple Camelot retrospectives. Seldom do they omit JFK’s power to inspire, often illustrated with his most famous quote: “Ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country.” However, while many find it […]
A Supreme Court Litmus Test from Our Founders
As the March 20 start of confirmation hearings for Neil Gorsuch approaches, Americans have been hearing about litmus tests. For instance, Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., and Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., have set up a standard of “being mainstream” in their eyes and respecting precedents they like, ignoring whether they violate the Constitution. However, there is a […]
Neither liberty nor justice for all
Recently, Harvard political theorist Danielle Allen wrote in the Washington Post of “The most important phrase in the Pledge of Allegiance” — “with liberty and justice for all.” Allen recognized that justice required “equality before the law” and that freedom exists “only when it is for everyone.” But she confused democracy, as in progressives “build[ing] […]
Publisher’s Corner
Astonishing Waste on Homeless Programs by San Francisco
I had to read the story in the San Francisco Chronicle twice to let the facts sink in. Over the last three years, The City has budgeted and spent $821 million in public funds on programs to address homelessness. My thought, and also the question posed by the piece, was that the problem must have surely […]
Cali-Culture
Most Californians Want Their Elected Officials to Work With Trump – UC Berkeley Poll
California’s elected Democratic leaders have vowed to “resist” the Trump Administration. Attorney General Xavier Becerra says he will invoke legal action to cut any funding to California, San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee says he will “stand up to Trump,” Governor Jerry Brown has said California is “not turning back,” Democratic Congresswoman Maxine Waters wants to […]
Trending News
LADWP retirees bring in bigger pensions than city, county workers, audit says
As reported by the L.A. Daily News: Workers who retire from the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power enjoy a higher monthly pension, on average, than retired public employees from the city and county, according to an audit released this week by City Controller Ron Galperin. LADWP retirees received an average monthly pension payment […]
Laguna Beach cuts housing assistance perk that helped top city employees buy million dollar homes
As reported by the Orange County Register: LAGUNA BEACH — A housing assistance program that helped some of the city’s highest-ranking employees get help with funding million dollar homes has been cut. The City Council on Tuesday, July 11, voted unanimously to end a program that provided financial help through equity sharing and loan assistance […]
Fish or farms? A new battle rages over California water
As reported by the Fresno Bee: Fish or farms? The House this week will tackle the question, which for years has triggered a tug-of-war between growers and environmentalists. It plans to vote on a Republican-authored plan aimed at sending more of northern California’s water to the Central Valley farmers who say they badly need it. […]
Here’s what San Francisco’s highest-paid workers make
As reported by the San Francisco Chronicle: The City of San Francisco employed 39,634 people in 2016 (including part-time and construction workers), and the total spent on their salaries and benefits in 2016 was $4,262,344,675, according to the Office of the Controller. That’s about the same amount as the budget for the state of Delaware, […]
California Democrats out to reverse another election rule to help one of their own
As reported by the Orange County Register: First, Democrats hoping to protect one of their own passed a law changing the rules for a recall. Now they are pressuring the state’s campaign watchdog to reverse a longstanding stance on contribution limits to once again benefit Sen. Josh Newman, who Republicans are seeking to punish for […]
