Recently in Po-Law-Tics
Commentary:
Do you ever wonder why there are so many ballot initiatives designed to decrease the political clout of unions? Well, simply put, because they have a lot of it.
Po-Law-Tics:
Our state's highest court is wading into a confused thicket of laws concerning marijuana, and more specifically medical marijuana. Here is a quick synopsis of the legal landscape.
Po-Law-Tics:
The current legal framework breeds the almost ceaseless need for campaign cash, which harms both officeholders and the public.
Po-Law-Tics:
Running for the highest elected office in the City of Angels is not an inexpensive undertaking. The question is how much fundraising and spending will matter.
Po-Law-Tics:
Thus far the City Council has failed to put forward specific plans to regulate so-called pot shops. Two groups, both medical marijuana advocates, are proposing competing ballot initiatives.
Po-Law-Tics:
As we embark on the new year I encourage all of you to review the legislation proposed and passed by your representatives. Examine their other political activities. Determine for yourself whether they are doing their jobs by serving you.
Po-Law-Tics:
A word to the wise: Just when you thought "silly season" ended with the election, it did not.
Po-Law-Tics:
A funny thing happened on the way to Election Day for this congressional race in San Bernardino County. New York City's mayor got involved and changed the outcome.
Po-Law-Tics:
This month Californians experienced a full round of elections under our new open primary, top-two election system and our new legislative lines, drawn for the first time in the state's history by an independent redistricting commission.
Commentary:
The wrinkle is that special interests groups largely, if not exclusively, fund many of these trips
Po-Law-Tics:
Californians have now lived through a full election cycle with two big election reforms.
Po-Law-Tics:
All of the campaigning comes down to us. We are, the "deciders." Our representative form of government depends on the ability and willingness of its representatives to exercise their right to vote.
Commentary:
So much for transparency. A donation of $11 million has been given by an Arizona non-profit corporation to two California ballot measure committees -- and that's about as much as we know at this point.
Commentary:
One thing is already clear: The amount of money being given and spent to urge members of the electorate to vote "yes" or "no" on these measures is significant.
Commentary:
Physical altercations are, to be charitable, counterproductive and feed into the dislike and distrust of politicians.
Commentary:
It seems to me that this was a missed opportunity for two individuals with comparable goals to use a terribly imperfect process to achieve a common aim.
Po-Law-Tics:
Last week I had the pleasure of speaking to hundreds of high school students for a "Constitution Day" event in Orange County. I made a few observations, which may or may not give us some insight into future members of the California electorate.
Commentary:
This is good news for all of you procrastinators out there.
Commentary:
Prop 32 says it will limit the money from unions and corporations to political campaigns, but only one is really affected.
Po-Law-Tics:
Californians may soon be able to obtain more information about those giving
and spending money in political campaigns. Assembly Bill (AB) 481 recently
passed through the Legislature with support from both sides of the aisle.
That bill would increase disclosure for independent expenditures.
SoCal Focus is a daily blog about the people, places and issues in and around Southern California.
I Am Los Angeles: On His Way Back
A video portrait of a man whose dreams and determination allowed him to get off the streets and into a stable life.
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