Articles by Henry Flatt

Credit: mtkang / Shutterstock.com California’s higher education system is in need of reforms if college students want affordable college degrees for subsequent generations. A solution to overcrowded classrooms that has been continually discussed is the integration of online courses. Senate Bill 520 is written to be the architect for systematic integration of online classes into campuses across California. However, Senate Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg (D-Sacramento), who led the bill, stated that h...

UCLA polling station // Credit: Fiona Kirby / Daily Bruin A plurality of registered voters in the US have chosen not to identify with a political party, one sign that the influence of the two major parties is receding. The west coast — Oregon, Washington, and California — a region that has traditionally been thoroughly Democratic, is beginning to see a party identification shift. According to a poll conducted by Pew Research, 37 percent of US voters chose the 'Independent' label over 32 percen...

Ontario Mayor Paul Leon during a press conference // Credit: Thomas R. Cordova/Daily Bulletin On Tuesday, California held a special primary election for Assembly District 52 that could have far reaching consequences for both parties in California’s Legislature. The 52nd Assembly District represents parts of cities in San Bernardino, Chino, and Pomona within the Inland Empire of Southern California. AD 52 is up for grabs between candidates Paul S. Leon (No Party Preference) and Freddie Rodrigue...

Janet Napolitano (Left) // Credit: Dept. Homeland Security via Barry Bahler Janet Napolitano was officially appointed as the 20st President of the University of California education system Thursday. She is the first female President of the UC system. Napolitano previously served as the Secretary of Homeland Security in the Obama Administration. She now heads to the largest  public education system in the world. The distinct career transition from safety to academia has raised more than a few e...

One of the primary reasons the US Congress has such a poor approval rating is attributable, at least in part, to a failure to produce meaningful, timely legislation. Republicans and Democrats both claim that the other side to is blame. Many Republicans in Congress claim the other side is fiscally irresponsible, while congressional Democrats argue that blatant obstructionism is taking place. What is indisputable, however, is that one of the instruments used to delay the passage of legislation, t...

Protesters marching in support of immigration reform // Credit: Connor Radnovich The constantly shifting demographic composition of the Untied States necessitates new laws to govern the persistently changing population. As immigrants continue to enter America’s borders both legally and illegally, the need to update our anachronistic immigration laws has become all the more apparent. With broad political support for passing a new immigration bill, it is imperative that the US Congress answers t...

Credit: Digiphile.wordpress.com California is considering multiple bills named the Sunshine in Campaigns Act, aimed at increasing transparency in elections. As with any legislation it is important to examine the possible negative or unintended consequences. Campaign finance disclosure laws continue to polarize representatives at the state and federal level. The US Senate failed to pass the DISCLOSE Act in 2012 along party lines. The bill received 51 Ayes (all Democrats) and 44 Noes (all Republ...

California Common Cause (CCC), a public interest state advocacy group, has worked in California on a broad range of policy issues related to government transparency and accountability for multiple decades. As a nonpartisan organization, CCC does not need to appease constituents from a specific party. This freedom has helped CCC to advocate for the Sunshine in Campaigns Act, Senate Bills 2, 3 and 27. The three bills are designed primarily to reveal the untraceable money that enters California po...