Guest Commentary

Commentary

My turn: How the next governor can help aging Californians

When we discuss long-term care for seniors, we are not discussing placing people in nursing homes when they need help taking care of themselves. Long-term care is so much more than that. A larger portion of the long-term care discussion involves in-home care services that enable seniors to age in place with dignity and independence.

By Guest Commentary • October 11, 2018

Climate Change

My turn: We must end utilities’ monopoly and help consumers

Communities across California have given ratepayers not-for-profit alternatives to corporate utility companies, allowing them to choose cleaner power that directly benefits their cities and towns. However, the California Public Utilities Commission could derail the expansion of local clean energy programs with a proposal that would limit choices and lead to higher prices for ratepayers.

By Guest Commentary • October 10, 2018

Commentary

Proposition 12: Californians will vote again on farm animals

Proposition 12: Pro-Proposition 12 would strengthen California law and ensure that meat and eggs produced and sold here come from cage-free conditions. Con-Proposition 12 is a poorly written initiative that will result in supply disruptions, price spikes and a shortage of eggs, and turn food inspectors into meat police.

By Guest Commentary • October 9, 2018

Climate Change

My turn: All electricity customers need a fair playing field

As a California Public Utilities Commissioner, I am obligated to ensure that the choices made by one group of electric customers don’t have adverse financial impacts on other customers who lack similar available opportunities. In the competitive, complex and technical world of electricity generation that’s not a simple task. But that's what the CPUC will vote on this Thursday.

By Guest Commentary • October 8, 2018

Commentary

My turn: Tectonic shifts in Orange County

Voter turnout will be the political wildcard in Orange County. Since 2000, Orange County’s voter turnout in midterms has been on average 21 points lower than in presidential elections. A low turnout this year would be a throwback to the “old” Orange County electorate—more Republicans and whites. A high turnout would reflect the “new” Orange County—more Democrats, independents, and nonwhites. Voter turnout will be the political wildcard in Orange County. Since 2000, Orange County’s voter turnout in midterms has been on average 21 points lower than in presidential elections. A low turnout this year would be a throwback to the “old” Orange County electorate—more Republicans and whites. A high turnout would reflect the “new” Orange County—more Democrats, independents, and nonwhites.

By Guest Commentary • October 7, 2018

Commentary

My turn: What I’ll tell Congress about CA’s new privacy law

California new consumer privacy act should be the baseline for any federal law. The rights of California consumers not only must be protected but expanded to other consumers in our country and around the globe. That’s what I will tell the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation when I testify on Wednesday.

By Guest Commentary • October 4, 2018

Commentary

How Dianne Feinstein handled Christine Blasey Ford’s letter

James W. Rushford: Dianne Feinstein's handling of the letter from Dr. Christine Blasey Ford alleging that Kavanaugh assaulted her when they were in high school was such that Republicans cannot allow her to retain her seat. I will vote for Kevin de León for U.S. Senate, and I hope other California Republicans will agree. Laura Friedman: If we really want to encourage victims to come forward, we must create processes that reduce their trauma and place them in a position of control. Shouldn’t it be up to victims to decide if and when to tell their story?

By Guest Commentary • October 3, 2018

Commentary

My turn: Federal proposal threatens CA’s progress reducing teen pregnancy

A federal proposal threatens California's gains in reducing teen pregnancy. Our elected leaders must step up and keep pushing forward to ensure that all Californians, no matter their age, race, income, their immigration status or their insurance status, will have an equal opportunity to plan their families, achieve their dreams and build a better future for all.

By Guest Commentary • October 2, 2018

Commentary

My turn: CA’s transportation is broken. The next governor can fix it

California has the potential to create radically different—and vastly better—transportation that will be less expensive for travelers, less costly to taxpayers, less polluting, and less energy- and land-intensive while providing far greater mobility. The next governor will be key to that future.

By Guest Commentary • September 30, 2018

Commentary

My turn: How the next governor can ease the housing crisis

California is 75,000 units short each year on needed new homes and yet housing projects have been delayed for years because of time-consuming permitting, mitigation and local approval processes, or litigation abuse invoking environmental regulations. All that adds to costs. If policymakers don’t take a hard look at how to lower building costs, we will never build enough housing to alleviate this crisis.

By Guest Commentary • September 26, 2018