May 24, 2019
Environment
Why Californiaās air board wonāt ban gas-powered cars yet
Mary Nichols, the powerful head of the California Air Resources Board, didnāt even need to explicitly threaten a ban on gas-powered cars last week to get the attention of carmakers. The warning was only in her prepared statements for a workshop with the state Transportation Commission. But the remarks, obtained by Bloomberg, hit headlines and […]
Politics
Democrats in California have all the powerāand much of the turmoil
You might think a political party racked by scandal, facing three lawsuits and riven with infighting would be in a bad spot politically. But, according to plenty of close observers, the California Democratic Party is doing just fine.
Reader Reactions
Bar closing time
Michael J. Scippa, Alcohol Justice, Tiburon It would be more objective if all publications would include the public health perspective when covering the issue of extending last call at bars. Senate Bill 58 is Sen. Scott Wienerās relentlessly dangerous 4 a.m. bar bill. It marks the third consecutive year in which he has attempted to […]
Commentary
Weekly Walters 05/24/2019
A collection of commentaries by Dan Walters over the past week.
Newsletters
A deal on police use of force. No deal on e-cigarettes
Legislature reaches deal on police use of force bill. No deal on e-cigarette legislation. Newsom promises action on housing crisis.
Commentary
Service tax proposal is a veiled tax increase
Some California legislators are considering a sales tax on services. A services tax won't reduce California's budget volatility and would worsen the state's affordability crisis. With record budget surpluses, talk of new taxes should be political malpractice.