Analysis: Recent California newspaper editorials

Dec. 16

Chico Enterprise-Record: Subsidized rides to Sacramento aren't rational

With the end of commercial flights from Chico Municipal Airport, the urgency has ramped up to seek a solution for this new transportation void.

The answer, more than likely, is that government isn't the solution.

The transportation planning agency called the Butte County Association of Governments met last week and heard a report of the possibility of providing two B-Line buses a day to run to and from Sacramento.

The elected officials on the board were told the bus line to Sacramento was "viable" because an estimated 40 people a day might take the bus down to Sacramento each day, with an equal number coming back. But "viable" in transportation planning doesn't have the same meaning as it does in the rest of the world. It means the service fits within the parameters of transportation law. Running the buses to Sacramento would require a government subsidy of a half-million dollars a year to keep the service afloat, something almost certain to kill the proposal.

Jon Clark, BCAG's executive director, said there might be grants available to start a three-year pilot program, but there's a likelihood the county and cities would have to bear the cost after that. None of the elected officials on the BCAG board thought that was a good idea.

The negatives seem to kill the deal, but we hope BCAG doesn't reject the plan out of hand. We also think if BCAG is going to pay consultants to study the possibility, it should ask them to look at the whole picture, which would mean a stop at the Sacramento airport. The plan on the table would drop off people downtown, from which they'd need to find a bus north to the airport. Limiting the bus line to people who work or want to shop in Sacramento ignores the new need for airport transportation options.

That probably isn't going to make a difference because a half-million dollars is a lot of money. It's hard to justify spending that so 20,000 riders can make a round trip to the capital each year. But whether an airport stop would change the math is something that at least ought to be looked at. Business and government leaders have been looking for a study into that possibility since SkyWest pulled out of Chico. But the push for BCAG's study started years ago, before the end of passenger air service had come up. It focused on the needs of the roughly 3,100 Butte County residents who work in the Sacramento area.

The agency will discuss the matter again in February or March. We wonder if in the interim, its consultants could look at the other piece of the puzzle, the local people who want to go to the Sacramento airport.

BCAG's board, made up of various city councilors and county supervisors, will rightfully weigh whether that half-million dollars in transportation subsidies could be put to better use within the county. The answer is probably yes, but then the question of airport service has yet to be asked.

This may be a concept where the governmental solution isn't the best one. There are at least two shuttle services to the airport from Butte County, and one of them has ramped up advertising lately, sensing the opportunity.

While the shuttle prices seem steep for an individual going to the airport - SuperShuttle lists a price of $150 one way, while North Valley Shuttle is much cheaper at $60 - there's the convenience of not having to drive and saving money on parking. Also, there's the very real possibility that if ridership increases on the private shuttles, the prices could fall.

Another option would be light rail service to Sacramento. But that's so 1940s.

While many people probably like the idea of government paying to get them to work in Sacramento or the airport, that's really not government's problem. Private businesses like shuttle services and citizens who choose to live in this area and work elsewhere likely will have to solve this one on their own.

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Dec. 15

Contra Costa Times: World markets will likely affect our investments

To say the world's financial markets are in turmoil is colossal understatement. Roiling money markets span the globe.

Last week, the U.S. stock market had one of its worst weeks in years; markets throughout Asia have been spiraling this week, possibly signaling an emerging-market sell-off of exceptional reach and forcing government actions; signs indicate China's growth is slowing and, of course, Russia's financial circumstance, especially its currency value, approaches a crisis level.

Yet on Tuesday, U.S. stocks listed among the Dow Jones Industrials scored a significant rebound.

Many of these events took even savvy investors by surprise.

We do not pretend to have means to predict what will happen next. If we did, we probably would be doing something else for a living - like maybe floating around the Caribbean on our yacht. You know, the one with the helipad.

What we do know is that what happens in any one of these markets nearly always resonates one way or another in the others.

It would be nice if we only had to worry about American markets. Unfortunately, the global economy doesn't work that way anymore, if it ever did.

That is why we think American investors should pay particular attention to these global financial events, individually and in aggregate. We're not talking about the hedge fund folks - they will always do fine. Many of them already have the yacht with the helipad.

We mean the ordinary investor who has an IRA or a 401(k). Making sense of these foreign markets and how they impact our markets can make all the difference.

In Russia's case, some of the wounds were self-inflicted. Western sanctions imposed because of Russia's outrageous actions in Ukraine have had some effect, but the spiraling price of oil - Russia's primary export - is the main reason the ruble has lost more than half of its value against the U.S. dollar recently.

That prompted Russia on Tuesday to raise its main deposit rate from 10.5 percent to 17 percent overnight, a shocking jump. It's meant to stop the currency bleeding, but it hasn't yet.

Meanwhile, Asian markets plunged too. Stocks in Singapore, Japan and Malaysia were down more than 2 percent, and India's rupee was at its lowest ebb in more than a year.

All of this turmoil and other factors may cause the U.S. to finally raise interest rates soon. While bad for the borrower and good for the saver, such a raise will start to end the stimulus policy euphemistically called quantitative easing. In fact, the Fed should address that topic on Wednesday when it delivers its latest outlook.

It is a meeting that all investors - yes, even us - should watch closely.

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Dec. 16

Woodland Daily Democrat: Numbers do not a survey make in Prieto assessment

Here's the thing about surveys - unless you're a professional and do numerous cross-referenced questions - it's a big mistake to draw conclusions.

And that's our takeaway from the recent survey done by the Yolo County Sheriff's Department and the "special task force."

The survey was done after a 2013-14 Grand Jury investigation revealed in June that on multiple occasions "employees were threatened, intimidated and had experienced adverse employment actions as a result of challenging the sheriff's agenda." Sheriff Ed Prieto and others in the department complained that only a handful of people had been interviewed. The number cited is 16.

The "task force" was intended to survey all 266 department employees. Some 174 responded with 166 indicating they would participate while eight stated they would not (no reasons were offered).

The internal survey showed that some employees were satisfied with Prieto and the entire administration and others are worried about retaliation - the issue raised by the grand jury.

And those initial numbers changed quickly as the survey progressed. The number of respondents dropped, making the survey less than conclusive and - if given a fair look - not all that favorable toward Prieto and the management team.

Look at the numbers:

- The survey noted that 94 of 126 respondents (not 266 or 166) state they have never been retaliated against. There are still 32 employees who feel they have been.

- On the question of whether employees think that Prieto manages the department professionally, of the 133 responses (not 266 or even 166), only 44 said yes; while 61 said no; and 28 said they didn't know. Those aren't very good numbers, considering the actual total (89 basically either said no, or didn't know enough).

- And 79 of the 137 (not 266 or 166) employees of the department's employees who responded agreed or somewhat agreed that Prieto was "approachable," while 43 disagreed and 15 either had no opinion or didn't know for 58 total.

- Of the 105 employees (not 144 as reported in the survey) who responded to the question about whether they were thinking of leaving the department, 27 said that "if they left, it would be due to their perceived challenges and culture of the department" while 78 had other reasons including better career growth, retirement, salary and benefits (all of which could mean better career growth), flexible work schedules (which could also mean better career growth), desire career change (which could also mean better career growth), commute or work location (which could also mean better career growth), and 16 for other, unspecified, reasons.

- Finally, in a survey question regarding concerns in the workplace, there were only 103 who answered (not the 266 or even 166), and even that may be deceptive because people could mark more than one answer. Of those answers: 67 were concerned about poor morale, 74 feared reprisal, 48 for supervision challenges and 28 for reputation. Other worries included failure to modernize operations (whether this means with equipment or staff attitudes isn't explained).

We could go on, but here's the thing: Undoubtedly, some in the sheriff's office are satisfied and others are not. The same assessment can be drawn from the Grand Jury report, which means the Task Force really didn't find anything new. We acknowledge the effort and appreciate that Prieto and his team are trying to make the department more transparent, but if there are those who feel they are being intimidated, they're not going to jeopardize their jobs even in an anonymous survey.

So before anyone draws any conclusions, the obvious is clear: An outside, independent and professional examination is needed - not just a survey from the Task Force.

It's not that we don't trust the report of the Task Force and its survey, only that we're skeptical of the results, just as all of us should be of the Grand Jury assessment. If we're to assume management changes are needed - or not - by the Sheriff's Department administration, then a professional management firm should be retained to do a more comprehensive review.

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Dec. 17

Imperial Valley Press: Valley Challenge takes aim at obesity

There has been a lot in the news about obesity and the causes and effects of obesity-related diseases, which are the No. 1 health problem in the country, according to America's Health Ranking.

The newest report from United Healthcare of California, released last week, highlights key features, particularly how the nation is doing when it comes to obesity. California ranks fourth in the nation with 24 percent of the population as obese.

It's a problem that is well-documented, nationally, per state and locally: According to the Pediatric Nutrition Surveillance Survey (2010) some 78 percent of adults in Imperial County are overweight or obese; 29.9 percent of 2- to 5-year-old children in Imperial County are overweight or obese; 41.2 percent of 5- to 20-year-olds in Imperial County are overweight or obese.

What exactly causes obesity? The simple equation that is commonly used is calories in versus calories out. This is far too simplistic. The truth is there are a myriad of reasons why we pack on the extra pounds and what that does to our health. It is no secret Type II diabetes, heart disease, strokes, cancer and other obesity-related diseases shorten our lives and reduces the quality of life we lead.

There are many reasons for the obesity epidemic in the county and country. It is tied to an over-reliance on processed and fast foods, poor food choices, consumption of empty calories, low activity levels, stress, poor sleeping habits and genetics.

As you look at this list, you are probably thinking that you are impacted by many of these factors.

The good news is there is one answer for our situation: making good choices. Making the right choice when it comes to what you are going to put into your body. Choosing fruits and vegetables over French fries and using portion control to control caloric intake. Choosing to get up off the couch and exercise. It can be as simple as walking the dog, kicking around a soccer ball with the kids or playing a game of basketball. Not only does exercise burn calories but it reduces stress, another factor in weight gain. When exercising hydrate yourself with water, not sugary drinks or alcohol.

While genetics play a part in who we are, you don't need to surrender to it. Don't try to be something you are not but being the healthiest you that you can be. That should be your goal.

There are a lot of resources in the Valley to help the resident get healthy. The Imperial Valley Press will highlight and help fight this epidemic with the Valley Challenge. We will be challenging the Valley to lose a cumulative 100,000 pounds over three months (Jan. 1 to March 31). We will be a guide to proper nutrition, exercise and making the right choices. You will see it in the pages of the paper, in the parks and rec centers throughout the Valley.

So look for it, sign up and give up your excuses for not being your healthiest. If you don't do it for yourself, do it for your loved ones who want you around a long time and who will follow your example.

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Dec. 14

Long Beach Press-Telegram: Get electric buses up and running in Long Beach

Round 2 in Long Beach's attempt to be one of the first transit companies in the nation to have electric buses is about to get under way. Hopefully, the end result will not be as bruising or disastrous as the first round.

Two familiar names - Build Your Dreams, a Chinese company, and Protera, a bus manufacturer based in South Carolina - will square off once again to see who gets the coveted $12.1 million contract to build 10 electric buses.

The stakes are high. Whichever company wins the contract will gain a big advantage in the lucrative market building electric buses for cities and countries throughout the United States.

The Long Beach Transit Board initially awarded the federally funded contract to BYD in March 2013 but canceled the contract a year later after a prolonged controversy that stretched all the way to Washington, D.C.

Some observers said they had never seen such intense politicking in the history of Long Beach Transit.

Even before the contract was awarded, there was major lobbying going on by supporters of BYD, which has its North American headquarters in Los Angeles and an assembly plant in Lancaster, and Protera.

Darrell Issa, R-Vista, chairman of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, an aggressive critic of the Obama administration, entered the fray.

He launched an investigation into whether former Vice President Al Gore attempted to "inappropriately influence" the board's decision.

In his letter to Transit Chairwoman Freda Otto, Issa said, "It appears the former vice president, whose firm, Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers has a substantial stake in a company seeking funds from the LBT, made calls attempting to lobby board members and the mayor of Long Beach."

Otto confirmed that Gore had called her at her home about the contract. (Transit officials said they have not received any word back from Issa's committee on its investigation).

Despite the lobbying by Protera supporters, the LB Transit Board awarded the contract to BYD.

That supposedly ended the matter, but new problems surfaced, including alleged violations by BYD of California labor law. State labor officials withdrew citations against the company after BYD showed it had complied with state wage laws.

The contract then was put on hold when letters surfaced from the Federal Transit Administration saying that BYD was not eligible to bid on the contract because it failed to submit appropriate paperwork saying it was in compliance with the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise program. BYD now is in compliance.

Confusion reigned to the point that Long Beach transit officials were considering hiring a crisis management firm to deal with the situation.

BYD officials, saying they were showing good faith, agreed to mutually terminate the contract so LBT could re-bid the contract, which it did last week.

Once again, the Transit staff will conduct a due diligence evaluation and recommend a company to the board, probably in March or April.

Hopefully, this process will go more smoothly than the first go-round and will get this much-needed project back on track.

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Dec. 16

Los Angeles Daily News: California Senate leader errs in scrapping oversight office

Kevin de Leon had better watch it. At least, somebody in the California Senate had better watch it. "It," in this case, being the state government's already-shaky reputation.

De Leon's commitment to ethics and public confidence has been in question literally since the moment he ascended to his new position as the state Senate's president pro tempore.

The Los Angeles Democrat's swearing in as Senate leader was held at a lavish celebration at the Walt Disney Concert Hall, paid for by the California Latino Legislative Caucus, using $50,000 donated by corporations and interest groups.

No offense to the mariachi band and Korean drum circle that contributed to the entertainment, but the event showed de Leon to be tone deaf. At the end of a year that only sharpened Californians' concerns about ethics, there he was hosting a showcase for government's pay-to-play culture.

Now the other wing-tip shoe has dropped. At a moment when the goings-on in the state Capitol would seem to need more scrutiny, not less, de Leon has eliminated a team of Senate aides dedicated to evaluating state government institutions and programs. As part of new-term staff changes, de Leon declined to renew the Senate's Office of Oversight and Outcomes, established in 2008 by then-Senate president Darrell Steinberg with a goal "to ensure taxpayer dollars are being spent wisely and productively."

The four-person staff's combined salaries of about $379,000 seemed like a small price for the good it did.

Among the reports the office produced just last year were ones on the misuse of student meal funds by school districts, including $158 million in misappropriations and unallowable charges by Los Angeles Unified; on how budget cuts and bad decisions weakened the state's ability to investigate employment discrimination claims; about how the state's system for overseeing substance-abuse counselors failed to flag sex offenders; and assigning blame for problems with the $373 million state payroll system. Among earlier reports was one looking at 10 tax breaks that, over a decade, cost state coffers $6.3 billion more than anticipated.

De Leon himself had acknowledged the office's usefulness at least once. Amid allegations in 2013 of enforcement lapses by toxic-substance regulators, whom did de León ask to investigate? Right - the Office of Oversight and Outcomes.

De Leon's spokesman has shrugged off scrapping the oversight office as merely part of the staff changes that normally occur when the Senate gets a new leader, and said its functions would be performed by committees and the Legislative Analyst's Office. Let's hope.

Clearly, state government needs oversight. For instance, our noble solons could use people to check their golf scorecards for accuracy. In a further testament to ethical tone-deafness, Senate Democrats have chosen to revive their annual Pro Tem Cup, the golf event and major party fundraiser at Torrey Pines that has charged special-interest representatives up to $65,000 to trade strokes with lawmakers. The event was canceled this year because it wouldn't have looked so good with Senate Democrats Leland Yee, Ron Calderon and Rod Wright facing ethics charges.

Fore! Looking ahead, the California Senate should be wary of any further hints it is lazy about governmental transparency and ethics. Unfortunately, the early going under de Leon's leadership is showing just that.