In an April 2011 in-depth report The Economist catalogued the failure of California’s 100-year experience with direct democracy. And while it reserved special ire for ballot initiatives, it also questioned the way that referendums and even recalls (the two other forms of direct democracy in our state) have been implemented, concluding that the de facto “citizen legislature” has “caused chaos”.
Contrasting California’s approach to direct democracy with that of Switzerland, The Economist noted that while the Swiss model was designed to move opponents towards compromise, the California system was designed to create confrontation. The result, the report argues, is a fragmented and even contradictory legislative process, an ineffective and bound legislature, opaque budgeting and appropriations processes and a disjointed constitution. What goes unexamined in the analysis is the effect of direct democracy on local political processes.
The University of California at Davis, West Village, the nation’s largest planned zero net energy community, racks up an impressive list of achievements in its initial year of review. The first formal analysis of West Village shows that, even in its initial phases, it is well on the way to the ultimate goal of operating as a ZNE community.
The report released today from UC Davis, and its partner West Village Community Partnership LLC, outlines major milestones including West Village producing 87 percent of the energy it consumed in a one-year period — well in advance of the project’s full completion.
Moderate Democrats and Republicans from both of California’s legislative halls received millions from out-of-state oil interests in campaign contributions while enjoying perks like a lavish $13,000 dollar dinner party just before they were to vote on legislation regulating the industry’s hydraulic fracturing, or “fracking” oil wells, according to quarterly reports released last week.
Democratic assembly members Adam Gray (D-Merced), Henry Perea (D-Fresno) and Cheryl Brown (D-San Bernardino) joined Senators Norma Torres (D-Chino), embattled Ron Calderon (D-Whittier) and Lou Correa (D-Santa Ana) attended the September 4th, $13,000 dollar affair at one of Sacramento’s most expensive eateries, The Kitchen, according to Lauren Rosenthal of the Sacramento Bee.
Donations target Davis Roots, Hacker Lab expansion, and Wet Lab Incubator: Capitol Corridor Ventures (CCV) announced today that it has pledged to donate 600,000 (USD) to support the Davis technology community in 2014. The pledge focuses on three specific areas of the tech ecosystem, and includes funds for Davis Roots, an expansion of Hacker Lab into Davis, and establishing the Davis Wet Lab Incubator Challenge Fund.
The CCV pledge highlights the increasing momentum of organizations that support Davis tech entrepreneurs. “We are very fortunate to have so many positive entrepreneurial activities happening in Davis right now, and it is important that we continue to build on this momentum,” said David Morris, CEO of CCV who also serves as Managing Director of the techDAVIS Business Association. “This pledge is intended to provide a boost to the Davis tech ecosystem that will have long term impact.”
Charged with linking transformative research with partnerships to address challenges and opportunities at the intersection of food, agriculture and health, acclaimed plant biologist Roger Beachy Thursday was named founding director of the new World Food Center at the University of California, Davis.
Mr. Beachy, internationally known for his scientific leadership and groundbreaking research related to disease-resistance in crops, will assume the new position Jan. 1.
After 16 days of government paralysis, with our country hours away from economic freefall, the House and Senate have passed a bill that is almost identical to what we could have passed 16 days ago. Yes, we have reopened government and avoided default, but real damage has already been done to our economy, millions of Americans’ livelihoods, and investor confidence.
This was a pointless, destructive, and preventable crisis orchestrated by the 80-person tea party faction in the House and a handful of tea party Senators – a minority of their Conference. To make matters worse, the final outcome has been clear almost from the beginning.
The Davis school district’s 26-member Strategic Planning Committee participated in three intense days of discussion and adopted DRAFT DOCUMENTS that will be considered by the school board on Thursday, October 17.
There are four documents to be considered by the school board that include:
When I read that the Davis school board was assembling a team of community members – including teachers, staff, administrators, parents, and students – to chart the course of action for the district over the next decade I wondered what it would be like to be part of the process and help put forth thoughts and ideas on the action plan, since we have one child in fourth grade and two more children that will attend kindergarten in the near future.
Even before we had children I had always followed the issues of the district and knew that even with challenges we were fortunate to have a very dedicated team of staff, educators, administrators, school board members and community members in our district. I also knew that, like other districts, we needed to develop a course of action for the present and the future or we would not be able to provide the best educational experience for our children.
There is little doubt that some of our neighbors in Davis have health problems that are exacerbated by wood smoke. There is also little doubt that other neighbors enjoy having wood fires and that some use wood or wood products as a way to heat their homes. This leads to a conflict over interests/needs, but it is a conflict that is fairly localized-that is, between people who live near one another, people who share a common space and who, presumably, would be best served by resolving the conflict themselves without the automatic threat of punishment from the city.
We have the tools and resources to deal with wood smoke conflicts in this way-to find alternative forms of conflict resolution that will serve the needs of those whose health is adversely affected while providing those who desire to burn wood some latitude to do so.
Comprehensive Immigration Reform: Pro-Growth and Pro-Agriculture- Earlier this year, the U.S. Senate passed a commonsense immigration reform measure in a strongly bipartisan fashion. This was an important step in the right direction – especially for producers, farm workers and rural communities.
The historic legislation passed by the Senate provides a pathway to earned citizenship for the 11 million people who are in our country today without authorization. They will have to go to the back of the line, pay fines and settle taxes they owe our nation.
“The twin tunnels proposal is a $25 billion boondoggle paid for by the middle class taxpayer and water users. However, it doesn’t even create one new drop of water,” said Representative Garamendi while debating a representative from the Governor’s office. “This plan would take 100,000 acres of prime agricultural land in the Delta out of production so that 100,000 acres of marginal desert land in the San Joaquin Valley can continue to produce heavily subsidized crops.”
It’s only been a little over a week now since the verdict in the Trayvon Martin case and folks are already moving on. Some other new shiny object in the media has our attention – oooh, look, royal baby! Our heads turn so fast we almost get whiplash. But our heads turn because we will do everything we can to not talk about the history and legacy of racism in this country.
No matter how many Trayvons or Oscar Grants or Marissa Alexanders, no matter how many times folks of color are profiled, no matter how many times an almost all white jury gets to “decide” if racism exists or not, we will wiggle out of it with a quick, “Zimmerman was Hispanic” or “racism was over 50 years ago” and look away as swiftly as possible.
Editor’s note: Rep. John Garamendi (CA-03), a member of the Safe Climate Caucus, spoke on the House floor this week regarding the importance of clean energy production, which is spurring business development across the country, as well as playing a critical role in stabilizing global warming.
The Safe Climate Caucus members have made a commitment to talk every day on the House Floor about the urgent need to address climate change.
On Friday March 29, 2013, eleven alleged gang members, with all of nine different defense attorneys, filed into the courtroom. Nine different defense attorneys, with a couple conflict attorneys in that pile, were sent to the judge’s chambers for what seemed like forever, only to come out with yet another continuance date.
Some of the defendants were out of custody. Their charges stem from possession of drugs to possessing firearms and other gang-related activity. The People’s case is represented by Robin Johnson, Deputy District Attorney.
13th Annual Cesar E. Chavez Youth Leadership Conference at UC Davis on April 13
UC Davis, CA – Close to 500 middle and high school students will converge on the UC Davis campus for the 13th Annual Cesar E. Chavez Youth Leadership Conference and Celebration on Saturday, April 13, 2013 in Freeborn Hall and Wellman Hall.
The conference will include an Arts, Education, Health and Job Fair. For over a decade, this event has provided guidance to youth seeking to pursue higher education and grant information. Dolores Huerta will speak around 12:45pm in Freeborn Hall.
We need to think in a comprehensive way about water in California. The controversial Bay Delta Conservation Plan (BDCP)1 is an outdated and destructive plumbing system. It does not create any new water nor does it provide the water and the ecological protection that the Golden State must have. California and the federal government must set aside this big, expensive, destructive plumbing plan and immediately move forward with a comprehensive approach that includes:
Editor’s Note: This column is re-printed from one published on April 1, 2007.
On August 18 of 2000 state legislation was signed to establish Cesar Chavez Day in California.For many farm workers it was finally an opportunity to honor a man who organized them, led the largest grape industry boycott and formed the United Farm Workers requiring growers to bargain with farm workers who vote for unionization.For many it’s a day to show respect to a man who demanded respect for those, who like him, toiled in the fields day after day.
For me however, it is one out of 365 days, in which I remember a woman, who like Cesar, had motivation sufficient to act.She had “ganas.” A woman who thought of others.A woman who fought for the rights of others in the fields in injustice.A woman who led a strike with her co-workers, marched in on the boss and demanded that cold water, toilet paper and paper towels be provided at all times or they would walk.A woman who got what she wanted because Don Pedro knew that although he could get others to do the work they would not be as dedicated, hard-working, and honest as a woman named Adela Cardona Muñoz Escamilla, lovingly called Doña Adela by my four brothers and three sisters.
The reason: because of certain political comments I had made as a private citizen, my company was harmed by a rejection of likely participation in a government-run program. To prevent future harm, I had to start using a pseudonym.
Man Faces 40 Counts Including Vehicular Manslaughter
By Vanguard Court Watch Interns
People v. Gubani Roderico Rosales Quinteros began Tuesday, January 22, with a heavy discussion. Before a trial can begin, the court reviews motions. Some of these motions request to omit evidence.
Mr. Quinteros is charged with vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence, among numerous other charges. His other charges include burglary, forgery and perjury.
by Robb Davis
by Robb Davis
By UC Davis News Service
by Dan Aiello
By David Morris 
by UC Davis News Service
By John Garamendi
by Cecilia Escamilla-Greenwald
by Robb Davis
By Val Dolcini 
By Diane Carlson 
By Congressman John Garamendi
by Antoinnette Borbon 
by John Garamendi
by Cecilia Escamilla Greenwald
By Jeff Boone
Man Faces 40 Counts Including Vehicular Manslaughter