California's misguided climate change priorities

Orange County Register | Dan Kolkey
November 15, 2022

According to a new study released last month, California’s wildfires in 2020 spewed nearly 127 million metric tons of carbon dioxide into our atmosphere.  This was twice the reduction in greenhouse gas emissions that California had achieved over 18 years, according to the UCLA-University of Chicago study.


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Governor Newsom's ESG Errors
 

Forbes | Wayne Winegarden
November 15, 2022

California Gov. Gavin Newsom this week released a lengthy commentary defending so-called ESG investing, which he wrote has “proven results.” His defense requires fact checking and context.

Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) is the latest investing trend that claims investors can earn higher returns while also “doing good” on important social issues such as a company’s impact on the environment or how it treats its workers.


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State Budget Update: California Faces $25 Billion Budget Shortfall
 

Right by the Bay | Tim Anaya
November 18, 2022

According to the LAO report, the state faces a $25 billion budget shortfall in the 2023-24 fiscal year, which is primarily the result of lower revenue estimates than projected in the 2022-23 state budget.  Over the three year budget period (2021-22 through 2023-24), the LAO estimates $41 billion in lower revenue than projected in the enacted state budget.  If the state enters a recession, which many economists believe is nearly upon us, the LAO says “revenues could be $30 billion to $50 billion below” their current estimates.


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Solving Two Problems At Once: Desalination And Nuclear Go Hand In Hand
 

Right by the Bay | Kerry Jackson
November 14, 2022

Two of California’s most pressing problems are a growing scarcity of both water and power. Solving them does not require two separate efforts, though. They can be done together.


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