The People’s Voice: Voters Prefer Better Rules for Telecommuting
The pandemic has changed how we live and work, certainly in the short term and probably longer. The seventh CalChamber poll, The People’s Voice,...
The People’s Voice: Drought and Wildfires Dominate Climate Issues
Californians strongly agree about the importance of addressing climate change, but are not convinced that costly, disruptive policies are the right approach. The seventh...
The People’s Voice: What Do Voters Want?
“There go the people. I must follow them, for I am their leader.”
— Likely apocryphal quote attributed to French Revolutionary.
Voters and their representatives often...
The People’s Voice: Voters Anxious About Public Safety
Earlier this month, Alert reported about California voters’ deep concerns over an increasing cost of living and the fear of falling further behind.
Eighty-five percent...
CalChamber Poll Shows Economic Security Top of Mind for Voters
Increasing cost of living and fear of falling further behind add up to California voters apprehensive about their future. The seventh annual CalChamber poll,...
Is Direct Democracy Under Attack in State?
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...
It’s Time to Rebalance the Power Dynamic in California’s Schools Toward Families
The best guess by state leaders — and fondest hope for parents — is that California public schools will fully reopen their campuses this...
Legislature Passes Budget, Clearing Way for Real 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...
Uncertainty Hurts R&D Investment That’s Key to State Competitiveness
California’s innovation-based economy pays economic dividends not only in our traditional technology hubs, but in every region of the state and in a wide...
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 New Social Safety Net for Workers
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...
ZEV Mandate Should Spur Policy Talks on New Revenues for Transportation
It’s full steam ahead for the Newsom administration’s zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) strategy. But this enthusiasm for a new generation of automobile technology may degrade...
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...
CalChamber Poll Shows Voters Want Sensible Policies, No New Taxes
Last month the California Chamber of Commerce reported that Californians are taking the COVID-19 pandemic seriously, and expect their elected leaders to do the...
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...
California Legislature Fumbles Chance to Boost Economic Recovery in State
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...