Rep. Campbell's Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Bill

Rep. John Capbell, a California Republican, has introduced what may well be the worst Republican-led bill of the current session. His proposal, H.R. 3125 (there's no short title) is a pre-funded bailout for California's state-run, currently privately funded California Earthquake Authority (CEA). …

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Written by Eli Lehrer on Friday October 7, 2011

States Will Be Slammed by Default

A federal default could cascade through state governments, forcing tax increases and budget cuts on local taxpayers. Medicaid budgets could be slashed. Federal money for unemployment benefits could halt. State colleges could lose federal grants. The Pew Center on the States reports that …

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Written by Nicole Glass on Wednesday July 27, 2011

Long Term Unemployment by State

The WSJ has a powerful, depressing interactive chart of long-term unemployment. Nation-wide, more than 25% of the unemployed have been out of work for more than a year. But in hard-hit states like California, Georgia, South Carolina, and Michigan, the proportion jumps to over 33%. See …

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Written by David Frum on Thursday July 21, 2011

First Amendment Tour De Farce

If California thinks simulated beatings of women are obscene, who is Justice Scalia is to argue with them? Can kids now sue their parents for confiscating their video games? Two rulings from the Supreme Court before they get out of town have illuminated the broad, almost, unrestricted view the …

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Written by John Vecchione on Monday June 27, 2011

Quake Bill Means Big Debt After the Big One

A new bill to help subsidize the purchase of earthquake insurance in California could leave the federal government with a massive debt if a quake hits. One of the consequences of the recent Japanese earthquake is that legislation that might not be a good idea seems significantly more appealing. …

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Written by Noah Kristula-Green on Wednesday May 11, 2011

Obama's West Coast Swing

Obama's trip to California didn't just give him the chance to fill his campaign coffers. It was also a reminder to Washington that he still owns the youth vote. It was fitting that President Barack Obama kicked off his bid for a second term last week in Chicago. The Windy City is, of course, his …

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Written by Les Francis on Thursday April 21, 2011

Reagan Never Went Rogue

Many commentators have likened Sarah Palin to revered conservative icon Ronald Reagan. Both were governors of Western states, but the similarities end there. As Sarah Palin embarks on a publicity tour for her book, conservative commentators have again taken to likening the former Alaska …

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Written by Rob Bernstein on Sunday November 22, 2009