California Report: Bad News and Good News

Published on February 28, 2024

Commentary As we move ahead in early 2024, there are a number of government actions that will negatively impact Californians, while some might offer a ray of hope breaking through the storm clouds. Although California is a laboratory for an array of crackpot ideas, once in a while common sense takes us by surprise. The Bad News Proposition 1 on the primary election ballot would continue to throw money at homelessness, a strategy that has failed miserably for years as it enables unruly behavior. It authorizes $6.38 billion in bonds for housing, mental health, and substance use treatment. Micromanaging the homeless problem from afar wastes taxpayer dollars and takes decisions out of the hands of local communities that could forge effective streamlined solutions....