Bill Lamb

Homelessness and drug abuse existed long before Prop 47. But what Prop 47 did was make illegal drug use a misdemeanor rather than a felony and took away law enforcement’s power to give addicts a choice of prison time or treatment. The result has been a shocking increase in homelessness and drug addiction on the streets of LA.

California drivers pay more than double the national average for state gasoline taxes. After voters approved another six-cent increase in July, Governor Newsom signed an executive order in September that allows him to redirect some of these funds to programs addressing climate change instead of infrastructure repair. Do you think that was a bait and switch, or do you think he did the right thing?

In a city with far too much traffic, with too many cars carrying just one person, you would think a mass transportation system would be embraced, right?

Remember the bullet train? This is a project the voters thought they wanted, but if they’re still paying attention, it’s clear there isn’t anywhere near enough money to complete this project. And in the great California tradition, the red tape is strangling it.

After more than a dozen people were murdered in mass shootings by mentally ill people in just the past week, why do we continue to do nothing except offer our thoughts and prayers?  I believe in the second amendment, but if you could ask the founding fathers if they intended for the second amendment to guarantee mentally ill people the right to bear arms, I promise you they would say, “Of course not!  Don’t be stupid!”

It’s almost seems like LAX has been watching how poorly the airlines have been treating customers and asking themselves, “How can we get in on this?”  

California drivers pay the highest gas prices in America.  Yes, we have the special blend that reduces emissions, but most major cities do.  And yes, we have some of the highest taxes in the country.  California lawmakers love their taxes.  But after that, I have never understood why our prices are so much higher than anywhere else in the country.  

Point of View is about bringing many diverse issues to the forefront and discussing them. You may not sense a theme from week to week, which is what I’m hoping for.  I will be all over the place.  Not all topics will be equally important, but they will all be worth discussing.  Last week was about our homeless situation, today is about horse racing.  No relation between the two, but both need discussion.  

The California legislature has now passed something they call the “fair pay” bill that would allow some college athletes to hire agents, sign endorsement deals, and benefit financially from their high profiles. But it really isn't fair at all.  For the most part, athletes in non-revenue sports aren’t going to get much if any of this pay.  Only a few elite football and basketball players will really benefit.  They’re the ones on TV who are well known.