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.

On mental health and guns

Arizona allows anyone concerned about the mental health of another to report them to authorities to be evaluated, even as they continue to slash their mental health budget. Many other

By Bob Morris

/ January 17, 2011

Major geothermal discovery in Imperial Valley

Ram Power, a Nevada geothermal corporation, has successfully drilled a well in the Imperial Valley which they say could produce 8-10 MW of power (1 MW can power 750-1,000

By Bob Morris

/ January 12, 2011

Major geothermal discovery in Imperial Valley

Governor Brown commences painful budget cuts

During Governor Brown's press conference Monday, he was asked what would happen if voters reject the continuation of taxes set to expire this year. He replied, take all

By Bob Morris

/ January 11, 2011

Governor Brown commences painful budget cuts

The continuing fight for Sacramento Delta water

1,300 miles of ancient, earthen levees protect and encircle the Sacramento Delta. Some say this leaves the area, and its crucial water supply vulnerable to an earthquake. Others opine

By Bob Morris

/ January 10, 2011

The continuing fight for Sacramento Delta water

Third party voter registration and ballot status in California

There are four third parties in California with ballot status: American Independent, Green, Libertarian, and Peace and Freedom. Let's look at the numbers and see what they tell

By Bob Morris

/ January 6, 2011

Third party voter registration and ballot status in California

On breaking unions, states filing bankruptcy, and public pension underfunding

During the Great Depression, Congress passed an act saying states and municipalities could file for bankruptcy. The law was challenged and part of it was overturned by the Supreme Court

By Bob Morris

/ January 5, 2011

On breaking unions, states filing bankruptcy, and public pension underfunding

Gavin Newsom advocates California wave power

Lieutenant Governor Gavin Newsom says wave power eight miles off the coast of San Francisco is economically feasible and can be done at a cost less than solar power. He

By Bob Morris

/ January 3, 2011

Gavin Newsom advocates California wave power

California faces gloomy New Year

The non-partisan Institute for Truth in Accounting has released its latest report on California (PDF), and it makes grim reading indeed. Not only is California so deep in debt that

By Bob Morris

/ December 30, 2010

Solar energy zones on public land proposed for six states including California

The Department of the Interior and the Department of Energy have targeted 21 million acres of public land as now available for right-of-way applications with over 677,000 acres designated

By Bob Morris

/ December 29, 2010

Solar energy zones on public land proposed for six states including California

Expect lawsuits as the Census may have overlooked 1.5 million Californians

California officials claim their more careful census shows that the population of California is 38.8 million, 1.5 million more than the federal census figure of 37.3 million.

By Bob Morris

/ December 27, 2010

Expect lawsuits as the Census may have overlooked 1.5 million Californians

California approves novel reverse auction for renewable energy projects

The California Public Utilities Commission recently approved a unique way to spur development in renewable energy. Under the Renewable Auction Mechanism (RAM), the big three public utilities in California are

By Bob Morris

/ December 23, 2010

California approves novel reverse auction for renewable energy projects

The Alternative Minimum Tax lives!

Most everyone is agreed. The Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) is like a zombie or a vampire that refuses to die. It is unfair, almost indecipherably complicated, increasingly targets the middle

By Bob Morris

/ December 21, 2010