LOS ANGELES

MY TURN-According to federal data, California is the fifth largest economy in the world ahead of the United Kingdom and therefore, the fiscal responsibility that is shown by our next state governor is crucial. 

CONNECTING CALIFORNIA-No Californian inspires me more than Austin Beutner. Haven’t heard of this Los Angeles investment banker? Your loss. Because following his example could change your life. 

KEEPING THE ELECTIONS FAIR-We have highlighted in previous blogs the attempt to bypass the legislative and initiative process through the installation of elected Deputy District Attorneys who promise to ignore criminal statutes with which they disagree.

SPORTS POLITICS--In what has to rank among the worst ideas in the history of the National Football League—alongside decisions to cover up concussion research and ignore the issue of violence against women—NFL owners have come up with a new proposal to deal with players who protest police violence and racial inequity during the National Anthem.

THE CITY HALL STALL-As of this writing, the City of Los Angeles still has only issued 147 permits for pre-prop D marijuana dispensaries. This number has not changed in over a week.

ALPERN AT LARGE--For those of us not too busy with our families, jobs, hobbies, Trump-hating, Trump-loving, Stormy Daniels, obsessions with North Korea or NFL kneeling protests, and for those of us not too distracted by the new Avengers or Deadpool movies, we've got these state ballot initiatives to vote for. 

EASTSIDER-There are really only two types of public sector Boards.

PLATKIN ON PLANNING-Despite a few charming corridors, like Los Feliz, Larchmont Village, and Abbot Kinney Boulevard, most of Los Angeles is a site for sore eyes.

GELFAND’S WORLD--This is the hundredth anniversary of something called the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.

POLITICS--As a liberal Democrat, I join all that wake up each day to see and hear the horrors that Trump and the GOP have accomplished.

GELFAND’S WORLD--It's about to get real.

PERSPECTIVE-Give the senator credit. He keeps trying to peddle his “tax modernization” bill, altering subsequent versions to deal with the opposition or disinterest it has received so far.

ALPERN AT LARGE--A year has passed, and after the one-year anniversary (May 20, 2018) of a sneakily-implemented and harshly-imposed Venice Blvd. reconfiguration that has, at best, had NO significant changes to safety and, at worst, WORSENED safety, on Venice Blvd. and the region the time for Mayor Garcetti, his LADOT "smart guy/guru" Nat Gale, and Councilmember Bonin to listen to their constituents. 

CORRUPTION WATCH-Once again we are faced with a conundrum: and we’re all responsible for it, though at the same time, none of us is. I speak of voting for judges! 

GUEST COMMENTARY--Los Angeles Homeless Authority (LAHSA) is in immediate need of change to improve outcomes, produce transparency, and to address their quality of service and accountability.

DEEGAN ON LA-The “Fairfax Mile” building boom of mega developments continues, from Fairfax and Wilshire north to Fairfax and Beverly, including a major stop at Fairfax and Third.

TO MEMBERS OF THE CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE-It is time for you to come down from your ivory tower in Sacramento and speak directly to the people. Senator Scott Wiener has signaled his intent to bring back Senate Bill 827 – a recently defeated and misbegotten attempt to up-zone vast portions of Los Angeles, San Francisco, and other municipalities.

PACIFIC STANDARD-In another move to cement California's status as a "sanctuary state," Governor Jerry Brown signed a bill on Thursday that will help to prevent Immigration and Custom Enforcement agents from nabbing people directly from courthouses. 

BCK FILE--The Central Valley district has always been best known for agriculture but since Donald Trump began his run for office, Devin Nunes (R-CA) who has held the 22nd District Congressional seat since 2003, has been shining a spotlight on the region for his seemingly blind fealty to Trump.

PORT POLITICS-Are the local ports really economic engines of the region? Absolutely.

CAL MATTERS--California Democrats know exactly the trouble they’re in: They have too much of a good thing.