Chief Economist, Concord Coalition
Chief economist with the Concord Coalition, and blogger at EconomistMom.com; former staffer in the Congressional Budget Office and senior economist on the staff of the Council of Economic Advisers in both the Clinton and Bush Administrations
President Obama's First Joint Session of Congress In the past month, President Obama has been criticized for presenting too grim a picture of America's current challenges. In his first address to a joint session of Congress last night, Obama did predict hard times, but in contrast to recent speeches, he insisted that recovery is a certainty. He explained why he wants to give banks more taxpayer money and outlined ambitious plans for healthcare, alternative energy and education. Did the President strike the right note of optimism in perilous times? What did Governor Bobby Jindal say on behalf of the Republicans?
Obama Addresses a Joint Session of Congress Oratorical ability has been a defining characteristic of some presidents. For others, the inability to make a good speech has been a serious limitation. In the past month, President Obama has been criticized for presenting too grim a picture of America's current challenges. Last night, the President painted a grim picture of America's economic crisis and predicted hard times. But in contrast to recent speeches, he insisted that recovery is a certainty. He explained why he wants to give banks more taxpayer money and outlined ambitious plans for healthcare, alternative energy and education. Did the President strike the right note of optimism in perilous times? What did Governor Bobby Jindal say on behalf of the Republicans?
Midterm Elections and the Divider in Chief During a visit to Pittsburgh to honor the victims of an anti-Semitic attack, President Trump was met with protests. The president has ridiculed Democrats targeted with pipe bombs and deployed troops against Central American asylum seekers. By defying the tradition of ‘President as Unifier,’ can Trump help maintain Republican dominance in Washington?
Proposition 6 fuels debate among Central Coast commuters California and the Trump Administration finally found something to agree upon: offshore wind farms, which could be coming to the Central Coast. In the wealthy enclave of Montecito, an expensive race is shaping up for the local water district. Also, we’ll explain two local measures in Santa Barbara County that appear almost identical and run through the pros and cons of the state gas tax repeal.
Will California voters show up? Across the country, early voting for Tuesday's midterm election has been happening in record numbers, but here in California, the numbers aren’t that impressive. So, who can we count on to show up on Tuesday when polls open?
Measure B and municipal banking After the 2008 financial crisis, an activist movement rose up in opposition to the big Wall Street banks that caused the subprime mortgage collapse. They camped out in a park at the base of Wall Street, called themselves Occupy Wall street and eventually the movement spread to other cities. And here in LA there is a measure on the ballot for this Tuesday that has its roots in the Occupy LA movement.