Billions deep in renewable energy “solutions,” Germany has little to show besides increased carbon emissions, unimaginably costly electricity bills, and progressive environmental ruin. Public policy consultant Todd Royal warns that California must not continue to follow Germany’s lead—lest we engender further “energy poverty.”
Read MoreIncreased gas costs, more empty promises; suggestions from Republicans and Pres. Biden to take a gas tax holiday, radio silence. Journalist Katy Grimes examines how the California State Assembly refuses to confront the gas affordability issue. This week, they formed a price-gouging investigation committee but didn’t discuss actual, practical solutions such as tax relief could provide.
Read MoreYet another appalling budgetary upsurge (currently, the SJ–SF section alone will cost $5.3 million), and Brian Kelly still calls California’s failed high-speed rail project affordable? The Opp Now team spoke with Kelly Decker and Cindy Bloom of the SAFE Coalition about this fallacious claim and why HSR is a “Train to Nowhere” except taxpayers’ pockets. The San Fernando Valley-based SAFE (Save the Angeles Forest for Everyone) Coalition originally fought the HSR project on environmental grounds and now also its overall devastation to California.
Read MoreGov. Newsom’s declaration about California’s record-breaking $100 billion surplus appears too good to be true because it is, writes local senator John Moorlach in a California Policy Center editorial. Underneath flashy “progress” blather, California’s $208 billion deficit is as clear as daylight. Newsom’s unrestrictive spending on public sector pensions and still-uncompleted projects will only continue accruing state debt.
Read MoreDuring the COVID-19 pandemic, print newspaper readership drastically declined. Now, newspapers earn significantly less digital advertising revenue and are ever-vulnerable to shuttering. Nonetheless, says Joel Fox of Fox & Hounds Daily, these businesses should not be given government funding to maintain services, lest we jeopardize journalistic integrity.
Read MoreIn the last 10 years, San Jose has made substantial changes to its streetscape to make it more bike-friendly. In an Opp Now exclusive, we talked to John Brazil, Transportation Options Program Manager, and Colin Heyne, Public Information Manager in the City's Dept. of Transportation. They described the unique opportunities and challenges of creating a bike-friendly environment while respecting vehicular traffic.
Read MoreSeasoned educational commentator Larry Sand discusses Jay Greene and James Paul’s recent studies on elementary school Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives. School districts employing a Chief Diversity Officer (CDO) have noticeably greater racial and economic achievement gaps than those without CDOs. What’s more, these gaps only worsen over time and cannot be controlled for by other relevant variables. Is it surprising that political proselytization hurts students and sidelines real academic solutions, asks Sand?
Read MoreIn what universe is a $5.3 billion price tag (more than three times the original estimate for SJ–SF and likely to further escalate) a bargain? In an exclusive Opportunity Now interview, David Schonbrunn—president of the Transportation Solutions Defense and Education Fund (TRANSDEF)—provides perspective on CEO Brian Kelly’s recent claim that the SJ–SF HSR project is a fiscal “bargain.” TRANSDEF has spearheaded litigation against this project since 2008 and continues to advocate for effective Bay Area transportation solutions.
Read MoreRelaying his experience as a parent during COVID-19, columnist Joe Mathews argues that distance learning as employed during the pandemic was an inevitable failure. Parents were overwhelmed with “go-between” duties, students were unmotivated to attend virtual school, and California’s online infrastructure was insufficient. State legislators must focus on overcoming setbacks post-COVID and revitalizing high quality education, Mathews asserts on Fox & Hounds Daily.
Read MoreIn an odd article on the redistricting of county District 1, the Mercury News trots out an old, discredited notion that, when it comes to voting, demography is destiny, and that Hispanic voters are a liberal bloc. The latest data from around the country disproves the Merc's assertion, as Hispanic voters are increasingly diverse and conservative in their electoral choices. Data from various sources below.
Read MoreIn 2022, more mass shootings have occurred (over 250 and counting) than days have passed in the year. Highlighting a “rare success story,” Evan Symon of the California Globe details how Berkeley High School’s consistent communication with local police about a suspicious 16-year-old student thwarted his mass shooting/bombing plan. The boy was arrested after police tips and a search warrant that discovered numerous attack weapons.
Read MoreOur nation’s “pool” of public employee pension money is five times larger than the Social Security Trust Fund—yet succors six times less Americans. Why should taxpayers fund economically harmful and precarious public sector pensions? Political commentator Edward Ring explains how public employee pensions steal citizens’ money to support an unfair, politically-motivated system. Ring enjoins that public sector pensions be eliminated and the funds relocated to the Social Security Trust Fund.
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