Government Archive

Oct 24, 2009 | 0 Comments

Neiman Marcus deserves your support in Walnut Creek

Vote yes on Measure I.
by Don Blubaugh
For weeks, I have contemplated how best to write about the Walnut Creek flap over Neiman Marcus coming to town. I have a vested interest. I live here and worked hard during my tenure as city manager to help shape the future of Walnut Creek.
There are many avenues to [...]

Oct 20, 2009 | 0 Comments

Reform Fever!

In short, people are fed up.
by Clint Reilly
Before the progressive movement swept through California in the early 20th century, there was a growing sense throughout the state that Sacramento had ceased working for regular Californians.
Shackled by special interests and rife with corruption, the capitol had become a playground for corporate lobbyists who exerted unfettered control [...]

Sep 11, 2009 | 0 Comments

Politics as it should be

In praise of civility.
by Don Blubaugh
I was riveted to the television recently watching the events of Ted Kennedy’s death and all that followed leading to his burial at Arlington National Cemetery.
Three things struck me about the events. First was the outpouring of love from his family members. It is easy in the world of politics [...]

Aug 11, 2009 | 0 Comments

March on Sacramento

It’s time to fix California.
by Clint Reilly
Rome is burning. But this time, the reformers aren’t fiddling.The CCC – California Constitutional Convention – can’t happen soon enough.
The alarming spectacle of our state capitol going up in smoke has moved the Bay Area Council – a Northern California group of business leaders led by its savvy executive, [...]

Jul 21, 2009 | 0 Comments

Culture of Capitol-ism

In order to transform a dying institution, the old, corrupt culture must be rooted out and eliminated.
by Clint Reilly
Sacramento is not just a big small town or the capital of America’s biggest state. It is also a symbol of governmental gridlock and dysfunction, the political version of General Motors or Lehman Brothers.
But unlike GM or [...]

Jul 18, 2009 | 0 Comments

Changing California government will not be easy

The tough road ahead.
by Don Blubaugh
Much has been written over the past several months of the governor and state Legislature’s inability to adopt a state budget. Their low approval ratings continue to decline. California is hard to govern because of the state’s diversity.
Finding a consensus choice of action on the budget and fixing what’s broke [...]

Jun 30, 2009 | 0 Comments

Disrespecting our Elders

Why would the state of California actually want to save money?
by Clint Reilly
John F. Kennedy once said that the strength and durability of a society can be judged by how it treats its elderly.
Proving his point more than four decades later, the careening state of California is considering cutting off vital in-home services to thousands [...]

Jun 23, 2009 | 0 Comments

BUSTED

In short, it’s not a good time to be in California if you’re young. Or old. Or poor. Or sick.
by Clint Reilly
It is said that a hard-core drug addict needs to hit “rock bottom” before recovery is possible.
Life must become so hellish and circumstances so dire that they have no choice but to accept reality [...]

Jun 09, 2009 | 2 Comments

Constitutional convention needed to fix California

Desperate times call for drastic measures.
by Don Blubaugh
In May, voters soundly rejected efforts by the governor and Legislature to balance the state budget. The state is on shaking fiscal grounds. Voters no longer trust our state leaders.
How did we get here?
For years, Sacramento politicians have responded to various interest groups each wanting its piece of [...]

May 26, 2009 | 0 Comments

California is about to take local money, again

The Prop 13 hangover never ends.
By Don Blubaugh
IN 1978, WHEN voters approved Proposition 13 they set in motion intended and unintended consequences. What was intended was a reduction in property taxes that were climbing rapidly because of the inflationary spiral on housing values. Voters approved the measure and property taxes were slashed by 57 percent. [...]

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Oct 19, 2009

Oakland Local Goes Live!

If you live, work or play in Oakland, do yourself a favor and get over to Oakland Local, the newest, freshest source of Oakland-specific news and commentary on the web. Spearheaded by Susan Mernit and backed by a Knight Foundation grant, Oakland Local is another great addition to the growing community of East Bay news and blog sites.

Sep 14, 2009

Thanks BART

Nothing like paying more and getting less:

Starting at 7pm tonight, the Bay Area Rapid Transit District will cut its service by 25% during non-peak periods (ie, most of the time). This compares unfavorably to AC Transit’s 15% service cut, and was not accompanied by a public input process like the one AC Transit has undertaken in recent weeks. (Full story)