Articles by Michael Abrams

The Public Policy Institute of California's latest compilation of voter facts reveals the growth of non-affiliated voters in the state. Within the past ten years, registering as a non-affiliated voter increased by 5.6 percent: As of February 2013, the share of California voters who say they are registered as independent (also known as "decline to state” or "no party preference”) is 20.9 percent — up from 15.3 percent in 2003. Voter registration with the Democratic party slightly increased with...

California's energy rate structure is at stake during this state legislative session. Assembly Bill 327, sponsored by Assemblymember Henry Perea (D-Fresno), would allow the Public Utilities Commission to create a more equitable rate structure. Perea and staff made clear what the provisions of AB 327 lay out for energy rates in California: * AB 327 will not increase residential electric rates. It will simply remove the energy crisis-era rate restrictions that currently limit the California Pub...

Photo Credit: Robert Durell / Los Angeles Times The California state legislature is back in session and the next six weeks will be a grind for legislators. There's a slew of bills waiting to be heard and voted on, but here are four important bills that can change the landscape of energy and environmental policy in the state. Senate Bill 4 -- Hydraulic Fracturing SB 4 is sponsored by Senator Fran Pavley and would place regulations on hydraulic fracturing. There are several aspects to the bill,...

Credit: newamericamedia.org This year, Governor Jerry Brown championed a breakthrough in the way California schools will be funded for the next eight years. Along with the 2013-2014 budget, he signed a local control funding formula (LCFF) that directed more funds to districts with a higher proportion of disadvantaged students (low-income or English-learners). In the funding formula, local districts would have the freedom to spend the money as they fit. Accountability measures are also included...

The Diablo Canyon Power Plant (DCPP), in San Luis Obispo, is the last functioning nuclear plant in California. Regardless of predispositions on nuclear energy, the plant provides a large amount of carbon free energy. Its presence also generates economic activity on the local, state, and national level. A study supported by Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E), and prepared by Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, delved into the broad economic impact of DCPP. This ranges from the personal expenditures of employee...

Patrick Power / Shutterstock.com California took center stage on legal battles over the ban on same-sex marriage, Proposition 8. The Supreme Court avoided making a value judgment on the issue, but Prop 8's demise reflects the fact that majorities in California support gay marriage. The Public Policy Institute of California found that every subgroup in California became more supportive of gay marriage after Prop 8's original passage. The largest increase was among California Republicans. In fiv...

Credit: California Energy Commission One of the biggest issues in California this summer is the availability of energy and its affordability. Southern California will lose out on about 2,200 megawatts, or the power for 1.4 million homes, because of the closing of the San Onofre nuclear power plant. Southern California already went one summer without power from San Onofre, so what makes 2013 different? Backup plans from Summer 2012 are no longer available, a California Energy Commission report ...

Credit: iofoto / Shutterstock.com Perhaps the celebration of the San Onofre shutdown was pre-emptive. A handful of environmental activists gathered at the plant the morning of the announcement on June 7. However, replacing the energy the plant provided is harder than simply placing solar panels or producing more at oil/gas plants. California still has a mandate to meet a 33 percent reduction -- from 2003 numbers -- in greenhouse gas emissions by 2020 because of AB 32. The state was well on its...

Credit: sd06.senate.ca.gov Previously reported on IVN, by Kelly Petty, was the struggling state of unemployment among those with just a high school education. About 24 percent of high school graduates are neither working or in college. In California, the state Legislature is hoping to restore the value of a high school diploma. Senate President pro Tem Darrell Steinberg has led education legislation this session. This includes a $250 million push to expand vocational and career technical educa...