Posts Tagged: administration

Opinion

California’s privacy agency getting out of control

An illustration of the California Consumer Privacy Act. (Image: Panchenko Vladimir, via Shutterstock)

OPINION: The California Privacy Protection Agency (CPPA) is off and running full speed ahead, and like a runaway train, there is little to do to stop it before we witness a train wreck. The issues around process, lack of oversight, enforcement confusion, increased costs, overreach, and aggressive expansion are causes for significant concern.

News

Joe Stephenshaw takes the reins as state’s new finance director

Joe Stephenshaw, left, the new director of the Department of Finance, takes the oath of office from Gov. Gavin Newsom.(Photo: H.D. Palmer, via Twitter.)

As a budget analyst in the California Department of Finance in 2005-2008, Joe Stephenshaw never imagined that he would one day come back to lead the division. This month, Stephenshaw, 47, was sworn into the post, becoming the first African-American to hold the position.

News

As California lowers its masks, uncertainty remains

A crowd at the Santa Monica pier during the height of the pandemic. Some people wear masks, some don't.(Photo: Hanson L, via Shutterstock)

To mask or not to mask? That is the question — and there are a lot of answers. California on March 1 lifted its rule requiring unvaccinated people to wear masks in most indoor settings, but still strongly recommended that everyone wear masks indoors while in public. After fully two years of self-imposed isolation and masking, many people were delighted with the move.

Opinion

Offshore wind energy critical to reach clean power goals

An array of offshore wind turbines at sunset. (Photo: TebNad, via Shutterstock)

OPINION: Offshore wind energy in California would create quality jobs. Legislators should put the state on a path to development. In California, we know that building a clean energy economy means high-quality blue-collar jobs.

News

Prisons close as California inmate population dwindles

An aerial view of the California Correctional Center in Susanville, destined for closure. (Photo: CDCR)

California authorities have ordered the closure of state prisons for the first time in nearly two decades: Four are destined to be shut down in whole or in part, and three more are being discussed for possible closure.

Opinion

PUC should speedily okay Verizon’s purchase of TracFone

A smart phone user with his device. (Photo: TK Studio, via Shutterstock)

OPINION: With the continued struggles exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, it is vitally important for consumers, especially historically underserved consumers and business communities to have access to reliable and affordable mobile services.

News

Californians who are in the running for Biden cabinet

Image by gguy, via Shutterstock

California stands to gain additional clout in Washington when Joe Biden is inaugurated as the nation’s 46th president on Jan. 21st. We already have Californians in powerful Washington positions, of course — including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of San Francisco, who was just reelected easily to her post, and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy of Bakersfield.

News

LAO: Virus’ fiscal impact lower than governor’s estimate

State Capitol in Sacramento. (Photo: Brandon Bourdages, via Shutterstock)

Ultimately, the May Revision will include different revenue estimates and expenditure proposals than we used to arrive at our assessment of the budget problem. In fact, the administration very recently released an estimate of the budget problem—about $54 billion—that is significantly higher than either of our estimates.

Opinion

We can’t protect our earth with Donald Trump in office

The forests of Humboldt County in northern California. (Photo: Ethan Daniels, via Shutterstock)

OPINION: Right now, families and communities are paying the price of having a president who refuses to believe in science and the advice of experts and has managed to prioritize the well-being of polluters and corporations over public health. This is all completely unprecedented.

Opinion

Crisis shows crucial role of online education

Photo illustration of successful online education. (Image: Pla2na, via Shutterstock)

OPINION: When public schools reopen and normalcy returns, California policymakers should take a hard, honest look at how online education can seamlessly transition students during times of crisis. Too many schools were unfortunately caught off guard — unprepared to serve students during the coronavirus outbreak. Currently, most of the state’s student population are in limbo receiving “busy work” and eagerly waiting to transition to a distance learning curriculum.

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