Verde XChange
Publisher of the Planning Report and Metro Investment Report, newsletters that covers public infrastructure investment, and founder and chair of the VerdeXchange Institute; Managing Director of the nonprofit New Schools Better Neighborhoods; Vice Chair of the Los Angeles Economic Development Corporation
What Has Antonio Villaraigosa Done for Los Angeles Lately? The Mayor of Los Angeles has less than a year and a half until he's "termed out" of office. Antonio Villaraigosa's first term was marred by personal troubles and rejection of his education proposals, but he easily won re-election. Critics say his attention is now focused not so much on LA as it is on Washington, now that he's President of the US Conference of Mayors and Chair of the upcoming Democratic National Convention . He's in Washington today, pushing for transportation bills in the House and the Senate, which include his plan called, " America Fast Forward ."
'CleanTech Manufacturing Center' a Casualty of CRA Decision Since the state Supreme Court upheld the abolition of Redevelopment Agencies by Governor Brown and the legislature, more than a few potential babies are going out with the bathwater. One is the " CleanTech Manufacturing Center ," long planed to anchor Mayor Villaraigosa's so-called Cleantech Corridor.
Trump plays scolder-in-chief with NATO allies At the opening of NATO’s dramatic new headquarters in Brussels today, President Trump acknowledged that Article 5 — promising that “an attack on one nation is an attack on all” -- has only been invoked one time: in the aftermath of September 11. But the President failed to provide what 27 other Alliance members have been waiting for: a re-commitment by America’s new leader to Article 5. Instead, they got a scolding.
Ex-FBI Director Comey tells his side of the story Today, former FBI Director James Comey came close to calling the President who fired him a liar. The White House denied the claim and called it insulting, but Republican Senators did not challenge Comey’s truthfulness. Many questions remain: did the President try to obstruct a federal investigation? Later, we’ll go behind the “velvet rope” for a look at 5-Star health care for the richest Americans.
The longest US war: Will Trump send more troops to Afghanistan? The Trump White House is divided over the Pentagon's request for more troops in Afghanistan—where the US has been fighting for the past 16 years. Is there a formula -- either for "victory" or a political settlement? Is there an end in sight for America's longest war?