Politics
California’s Delta Stewardship Council Gets Down to Business
Today California’s Delta Stewardship Council begins its deliberations on a Delta Plan that promises to be a big part of the answer to one of that state’s most pressing environmental questions: can California’s Delta be saved? Creation of the Delta Stewardship Council was a key element of landmark 2009 California legislation designed to address the …
Continue reading “California’s Delta Stewardship Council Gets Down to Business”
CONTINUE READINGWho is John Collins Rudolf? And why is he questioning the shape of the earth?
Apparently, he’s a free-lancer for the New York Times, a generally straight-up environmental reporter – and today, he is Ken Cuccinelli’s publicist. Cuccinelli is Virginia’s wingnut attorney general, who has decided to make a name for himself by filing baseless lawsuits against climate scientists, running to the courthouse before the ink was even dry on …
Continue reading “Who is John Collins Rudolf? And why is he questioning the shape of the earth?”
CONTINUE READINGA New Thought on Smart Growth
The Public Policy Institute of California just released its new report on SB 375, California’s smart growth law. I’m still working my way through it, and at the beginning, it seems pretty boilerplate. For example, it notes that three things California can do to reduce emissions are “Higher-density development, particularly in areas well-served by transit; …
Continue reading “A New Thought on Smart Growth”
CONTINUE READINGKeeping the “Benefits” in Cost-Benefit Analysis
The business community is apparently souring on cost-benefit analysis, for the simple reason that cost-benefit analysis requires a consideration of the benefits of regulation. From as strictly business point of view, it’s really only the costs that matter, and cost-benefit analysis is good only to the extent that it disfavors regulation. For instance, Republicans have …
Continue reading “Keeping the “Benefits” in Cost-Benefit Analysis”
CONTINUE READINGIs this any way to run a democracy?
It isn’t exactly news that the U.S. Senate is an anti-majoritarian institution. The filibuster, which effectively allows 41 Senators to block action, gets a lot of attention. But much worse is the “hold,” which lets a single senator stand in the way of a bill or nomination. According to the Senate’s glossary, a hold is …
Continue reading “Is this any way to run a democracy?”
CONTINUE READINGPreview of Coming Attractions: American Electric Power v. State of Connecticut
The U.S. Supreme Court recently announced the scheduling of oral arguments in the biggest (actually, the only) environmental case of its current Term: American Electric Power v. State of Connecticut. The justices will hear arguments on April 19th, and render their decision in this major climate change case by the end of June. Already, however, …
Continue reading “Preview of Coming Attractions: American Electric Power v. State of Connecticut”
CONTINUE READINGNot Enough “Green” to be Green?
The Washington Post has details about the budget proposal. Here’s the information on EPA: President Obama’s proposed budget provides $9 billion for the Environmental Protection Agency, noting that that amount represents a $1.3 billion decrease from the previous budget year. But that’s unlikely to satisfy Republicans in the House who are sharpening their knives to …
Continue reading “Not Enough “Green” to be Green?”
CONTINUE READINGMy Daughter Writes Her Presidential Campaign Statement
As Lincoln’s Birthday and Washington’s Birthday approach, my 6-year-old daughter Rose’s teacher told them to write their own three-sentence statement about what they would do if they were President. This was a somewhat frightening prospect for me: who knows what my daughter will write? And, of course, how will it reflect on me? Am I …
Continue reading “My Daughter Writes Her Presidential Campaign Statement”
CONTINUE READINGCalifornia’s Redevelopment Wars
California’s political leaders are currently struggling with the monumental challenge of finding ways to eliminate the state’s $25 billion budget deficit. Somewhat surprisingly, one of the most controversial deficit reduction proposals offered by newly-installed Governor Jerry Brown involves elimination of California’s 425 redevelopment agencies. Estimated savings: $3 billion per year. Such a reduction in state …
Continue reading “California’s Redevelopment Wars”
CONTINUE READINGREINS Act: An attack on environmental regulation and executive power
Representative Geoff Davis (R-KY) has once again sponsored a bill that would require Congressional approval of any regulatory rule that imposes compliance costs in excess of $100 million annually. The Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny (REINS) Act (H.R. 10) would require agencies to seek Congressional approval of such regulation. If Congress fails …
Continue reading “REINS Act: An attack on environmental regulation and executive power”
CONTINUE READINGJoin Our Mailing List
Climate policy is changing rapidly. Stay in the loop with expert analysis via email Monday - Friday.
