Bob Morris

Progressive blogger at Politics in the Zeros since 2003. Former Green Party of Los Angeles County Council co-coordinator (2002-2004). Organized antiwar protests 2004-2007. Focuses on issues that transcend party lines. Silicon Valley.

Measure to ban political contributions via payroll deduction qualifies for California ballot

A highly contentious initiative blocking unions from making political contributions via automatic payroll deductions will be on the ballot in November 2012. In what promises to be a turbulent, divisive

By Bob Morris

/ December 13, 2011

Measure to ban political contributions via payroll deduction qualifies for California ballot

Arizona Research Institute for Solar Energy making progress on stored energy technology

Stored energy is the ability to take generated electricity and store in a form where it can be used later, on-demand, as needed. This is especially important for renewable energy.

By Bob Morris

/ December 12, 2011

Arizona Research Institute for Solar Energy making progress on stored energy technology

Projected demand for Colorado River water exceeds supply

The Bureau of Reclamation has requested input from the public to resolve water supply and demand imbalances for the seven states, including California, using Colorado River water. The problem can

By Bob Morris

/ December 8, 2011

Projected demand for Colorado River water exceeds supply

The California proposition process may be broken

California's proposition system is unique. Few other states have anything remotely approaching it. It was meant to be a system where citizens could take direct action, bypassing the

By Bob Morris

/ December 6, 2011

The California proposition process may be broken

Majority of Californians agree with reasons for Occupy protests

While nearly half of Californians do not personally identify with the Occupy movement, 58% agree with the underlying reasons for the protests, says the highly respected Field Poll in announcing

By Bob Morris

/ December 5, 2011

Majority of Californians agree with reasons for Occupy protests

High speed rail tunnel through San Jose not feasible, study

The California High-Speed Rail Authority recently released a report saying their proposed plan to put a tunnel underneath Diridon Station in San Jose is not possible. The soil is poor

By Bob Morris

/ December 4, 2011

High speed rail tunnel through San Jose not feasible, study

California now has 1 GW of installed rooftop solar

Installations of rooftop solar in California are booming, even in the middle of a nasty recession. The state just reached 1000 MW (1 GW) installed statewide, with 205 MW of

By Bob Morris

/ November 16, 2011

California now has 1 GW of installed rooftop solar

California budget shortfall could be enough to trigger mandated spending cuts

California Controller John Chiang says the state was 16.3% behind in expected revenue for the month of October, with an $810 million shortfall. The total shortfall for the first

By Bob Morris

/ November 14, 2011

California budget shortfall could be enough to trigger mandated spending cuts

California high speed rail costs soar to $98 billion

The California High Speed Rail Authority has released a report saying costs for their own proposed high speed rail (HSR) lines from Anaheim to San Francisco have more than doubled

By Bob Morris

/ November 8, 2011

California high speed rail costs soar to $98 billion

Poverty an increasing problem in California's agricultural areas

Nearly 25% of California farmworkers and their families live in poverty and almost 70% have no health insurance. Many face what academics call "food insecurity," which means they&

By Bob Morris

/ November 1, 2011

Poverty an increasing problem in California's agricultural areas

Governor Brown proposes major public pension changes

The non-partisan Little Hoover Commission reported in February that the ten biggest pension funds for California public workers face a coming shortfall of $240 billion. These benefits are mandated, must

By Bob Morris

/ October 31, 2011

Governor Brown proposes major public pension changes

Arizona: the harbinger of American politics

Zócalo Public Square, a project of the Center for Social Cohesion from Arizona State University, in partnership with the New America Foundation, recently hosted a discussion about Arizona politics. Chief

By Bob Morris

/ October 27, 2011

Arizona: the harbinger of American politics