Point of View: Are California drivers being ripped off by big oil?
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.
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: Saving the horse racing industry
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.
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.
Point of View: Nothing is fair about California's "Fair Pay" bill
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.
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.
Point of View: Public Utilities Commission
The Public Utilities Commission (PUC) has not done its job when it comes to fire safety. Most Californians have never heard of the PUC. Yet its’ mandate is extremely important. They regulate all utilities and power generators. Among the responsibilities of the PUC is to do everything possible to make sure that Public Utilities are not the cause of wildfires like the Camp inferno that...
The Public Utilities Commission (PUC) has not done its job when it comes to fire safety. Most Californians have never heard of the PUC. Yet its’ mandate is extremely important. They regulate all utilities and power generators. Among the responsibilities of the PUC is to do everything possible to make sure that Public Utilities are not the cause of wildfires like the Camp inferno that...
Point of View: Wait times at the DMV
DMV lines doubled in the last few months and wait times are over 4 hours long just for basic services. DMV claims it is overwhelmed by the need to issue the new Real ID required by the federal government. Yet it has had over 10 years notice and received 70 million dollars from the state to deal with issuing the new identification.
DMV lines doubled in the last few months and wait times are over 4 hours long just for basic services. DMV claims it is overwhelmed by the need to issue the new Real ID required by the federal government. Yet it has had over 10 years notice and received 70 million dollars from the state to deal with issuing the new identification.
Point of View: Pension Crisis (editorial)
Ever rising California government pension costs are reducing the funds available for basic government functions. Things like education, healthcare, public works and public safety.
Ever rising California government pension costs are reducing the funds available for basic government functions. Things like education, healthcare, public works and public safety.
Point of View: The Bullet Train Song
The bullet train had become so tragic and painful for Californians that is has inspired a song from an award winning Country writer and performer.
The bullet train had become so tragic and painful for Californians that is has inspired a song from an award winning Country writer and performer.
Point of View: An update on the bullet train to nowhere
The bullet train to nowhere is one gigantic boondoggle that is a bigtime taxpayer rip-off. The first leg of Governor Brown's choo-choo train was supposed to cost 6.8 billion and go from Madera to Shafter. Now the cost has ballooned to an astounding 9 billion. For what? To ride from Madera to Shafter? Definitely not worth it.
The bullet train to nowhere is one gigantic boondoggle that is a bigtime taxpayer rip-off. The first leg of Governor Brown's choo-choo train was supposed to cost 6.8 billion and go from Madera to Shafter. Now the cost has ballooned to an astounding 9 billion. For what? To ride from Madera to Shafter? Definitely not worth it.
Point of View: Johnny Can't Read
Basic literacy is essential for all our citizens, yet less than half the students passed the reading portion of California’s most recent statewide literacy tests. What a monumental failure.
Basic literacy is essential for all our citizens, yet less than half the students passed the reading portion of California’s most recent statewide literacy tests. What a monumental failure.
Point of View: Action needed for LA's homeless encampments
We have all seen the trashy unsightly homeless camps that have sprouted up all over our city. This has become a major problem. In fact, in many of these encampments drug, prostitution and gang activity is rampant. They also can be an extreme health hazard as the San Diego outbreak of Hepatitis A has shown.
We have all seen the trashy unsightly homeless camps that have sprouted up all over our city. This has become a major problem. In fact, in many of these encampments drug, prostitution and gang activity is rampant. They also can be an extreme health hazard as the San Diego outbreak of Hepatitis A has shown.
Point of View: Thank you to those saving lives during the fire
A very deeply felt thank you to our first responders, firefighters, law enforcement, volunteers, and neighbors helping neighbors that are risking life and limb to save lives and homes.
A very deeply felt thank you to our first responders, firefighters, law enforcement, volunteers, and neighbors helping neighbors that are risking life and limb to save lives and homes.
Point of View: Is LA ready for an earthquake?
Los Angeles is going to have a massive catastrophic earthquake. We do not know exactly when, but it will happen sooner than later. A recent study by US Geological Survey found that Southern California is overdue for a major temblor.
Los Angeles is going to have a massive catastrophic earthquake. We do not know exactly when, but it will happen sooner than later. A recent study by US Geological Survey found that Southern California is overdue for a major temblor.
Point of View: Affordable Housing Crisis
There is no question that California is in an affordable housing crisis.
There is no question that California is in an affordable housing crisis.
Point of View: Los Angeles homeless population
Over the years Los Angeles County and city government has spent billions of dollars trying to reduce the homeless population with little success.
Over the years Los Angeles County and city government has spent billions of dollars trying to reduce the homeless population with little success.
Prop 47: Crime is up, arrests are down
Crime is up, and arrests are down. It is not surprising that arrests are down 30% since 2014 when Prop 47 went into effect. The problem with Prop 47 is simply many felonies were downgraded to misdemeanors. Under Prop 47 for example, property theft in many cases went from a felony to a misdemeanor. Stealing a gun became no more than a misdemeanor ticket.
Crime is up, and arrests are down. It is not surprising that arrests are down 30% since 2014 when Prop 47 went into effect. The problem with Prop 47 is simply many felonies were downgraded to misdemeanors. Under Prop 47 for example, property theft in many cases went from a felony to a misdemeanor. Stealing a gun became no more than a misdemeanor ticket.
Point of View: Law Enforcement, Sergeant Steve Owen
Almost all of us at some time in our lives will need the help of law enforcement. They are there for us so we should be there for them. It is so important to always remember that they risk their lives for us. A routine call could be their last.
Almost all of us at some time in our lives will need the help of law enforcement. They are there for us so we should be there for them. It is so important to always remember that they risk their lives for us. A routine call could be their last.