The California Way was on full display in the fall campaign with Vice President Kamala Harris’ run for president.
Harris’ campaign was notoriously devoid of policy specifics; fortunately, the Pacific Research Institute’s Kerry Jackson and Tim Anaya took up the Herculean task of explaining to the rest of the country what a progressive Californian in the White House might have been if she had won.
In their new book, The California Left Coast Survivor’s Guide, Kerry and Tim present an exhaustive list of poor policy decisions made in California of which the rest of the country should seriously consider the consequences before enacting these ideas in their states and communities.
On pages 4-5, we offer a sampling of the insightfulness – and wittiness – of the book, starting first with a truncated version of the foreword written by Rowena Itchon, PRI’s Chief Operating Officer.
Next, on pages 6-7, you’ll find one of my favorite passages of the book highlighting California’s ban on gas generators, which is a particularly ironic idea considering California’s consistent dance with blackouts. The prevalence of the blackouts is included in the book, but not here in Impact – yet another reason to pick up your copy of The California Left Coast Survivor’s Guide today!
Also in this issue:
As we near the end of the Joe Biden Administration, I look back on his disastrous legacy regarding health care on pages 22-23.
A monumental court ruling was recently delivered allowing cities more freedom to conduct homeless sweeps. This was a major victory for American cities, but also for PRI, which filed an amicus brief in the case. Read more about the ruling from Wayne Winegarden and Steven Greenhut, as well as Kerry and Wayne’s analysis of the failures of California’s bloated and ineffective Project Roomkey initiative, on pages 8-11.
High school grade point averages are up while college readiness is at a historic low. Lance Izumi explains why that is on pages 12-13.
Crime in California is reportedly down, but a closer look reveals a murkier picture—one where underreporting by significant agencies suggests crime might actually be up. Steve Smith gives a fuller breakdown on pages 14-15.
As always, I wanted to extend the sincerest gratitude to all of you for supporting our mission at PRI. None of this would exist without all of you. Thank you so much.
Sally C. Pipes
President, CEO, and Thomas W. Smith Fellow in Health Care Policy
