To Prepare California Against Deadly Wildfires,  Newsom Should Use His Executive Powers Now
 

Orange County Register | Daniel Kolkey
November 12, 2019

California faces the prospect of another destructive wildfire season in 2022.  But as The Hon. Daniel Kolkey, PRI Board Member and Chair of PRI's California Reform committee, wrote back in 2019, the Governor could use his executive authority to take action to better prepare the state to withstand wildfires, reduce the severity of fires that flare up, and prevent the type of mass public safety power shutoffs we've seen in the past. 

We're pleased to share his commentary again this week, as the suggestions he presented in 2019 are even more relevant today as we enter another potential long, hot summer.
 

There's No Such Thing as Free Public Transportation Either

Right by the Bay | Rowena Itchon
April 15, 2022

Whether it’s suspending the gas tax, $400 gift cards, or $200 refund checks – these proposals to help Californians cope with high gas prices all have varying degrees of merit.  But free public transportation? That was a real head scratcher.

Gov. Newsom, in his $11 billion relief package for Californians, announced that in addition to rebates for taxpayers, he proposes to spend “$750 million in incentive grants to transit and rail agencies to provide free transit for Californians for 3 months.”  If public transportation agencies actually do spend the money the way Newsom hopes (remember it’s just an incentive), roughly three million Californians per day who take the bus, subway, or light rail won’t have to pay fares for three months.
 

Despite Jones Act, Gas Prices Are Even Lower in High-Cost Hawaii Compared to California
 

Right by the Bay | Tim Anaya
April 14, 2022

Recently, I enjoyed a week-long vacation in Hawaii.  One of the highlights of my trip was a circle island tour across Oahu.

When driving through Waimanalo on our way to the Pali Lookout, I noticed a gas station selling regular unleaded for $5.08 per gallon.  In fact, Hawaii’s price was nearly 80 cents cheaper than California’s $5.81 average as of April 7.


Read more. . .

Can California Tackle Zoning Run Amok in 2022?
 

Right by the Bay | M. Nolan Gray
April 12, 2022

The numbers are in on the cost of living in California, and it ain’t pretty: According to an analysis by the real estate listing service Zillow, as reported in the New York Times, home prices went up by a startling 12.3 percent between November 2020 and 2021. In suburban areas like the East Bay and Orange County—as well as in Sacramento—home prices increased by 25 percent. Apartments followed a similar trajectory, with rents booming across the state, but especially in the once-affordable Central Valley. Now more than ever, Californians are looking elsewhere for a reasonable cost of living.


Read more. . .