Prop. 87 fuels high octane fight on oil production tax
October 19, 2006
Next month, California voters will take sides in what has been an epic battle over Proposition 87, called the Clean Energy Alternative Act.
Idan Ivri
Parent Wins School Pesticide Battle
February 9, 2006
A new law that bans that use of experimental pesticides in schools is the latest achievement of Robina Suwol, a Jewish anti-pesticide activist.
78 and 79: A Matter of Life and Death
November 3, 2005
The question before voters is whether the drug companies should regulate themselves, as laid out in Proposition 78, or whether the state should be granted authority to pressure drug companies into providing discounts, as specified in Proposition 79. If both initiatives pass, whichever receives the most votes becomes law.
She’s Armed and President
September 1, 2005
As a Jewish woman and Harvard-educated lawyer who practiced law in Los Angeles, Sandra Froman admits that, at least on paper, she doesn\’t seem a natural choice to lead the National Rifle Association (NRA).
Political Journal
August 25, 2005
Racially motivated brawls at Jefferson High School this spring made the school appear, at times, like a miniwar zone. Which makes it especially interesting that L.A. Unified School District (LAUSD) officials are learning lessons from Israeli and West Bank schools, where violence, even terrorism, is an ever-present undercurrent.
The person bringing those lessons to Los Angeles is USC professor Ron Avi Astor, who has spent his career studying school violence in Israel and the United States. His newest book, co-written with Israeli professor Rami Benbenishty of Jerusalem\’s Hebrew University, is titled, \”School Violence in Contest: Culture, Neighborhood, Family, School, and Gender.\” The two scholars conducted studies encompassing 30,000 Israeli students at a time.
Bills Seek to End Israel Travel Penalty
August 25, 2005
It happens over and over again: A planned trip to Israel induces gasps of worry from friends who have never visited the country. Every suicide bombing or mortar attack on television reinforces the vision of Israel as a vast raging war zone.
Political Journal
July 28, 2005
Between 150,000 and 300,000 expatriate Israelis live in the Los Angeles area, and some of them are pushing for the right to cast absentee ballots in Israeli elections.
Bibi May Mount Sharon Challenge
July 7, 2005
At the moment, Benjamin Netanyahu is working under Prime Minister Ariel Sharon as finance minister, but at a stop in Beverly Hills last week, Netanyahu sounded like he\’d rather have Sharon\’s job.
\”Bibi,\” who served as prime minister from 1996 to 1999, has denied rumors that he will soon resign his post, but has been sounding more and more like a political candidate in recent months.
Most notably, he\’s staked out a position opposing Sharon\’s plan to evacuate settlers and troops next month from the Gaza Strip.
Political Journal
June 23, 2005
Displaying incredible negotiating skills or amazing timing, mayor-elect Antonio Villaraigosa helped broker a deal hours after personally intervening in a labor dispute between hotel workers and the L.A. Hotel Employers\’ Council, which represents seven hotels.
On June 13, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger extended the seemingly permanent voting season in California by scheduling a Nov. 8 special election.
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