Elias: The high costs of incompetence
It’s easy to blame the Trump administration for much of the incompetence that’s so readily visible in Washington, D.C. these days. Certainly, some of the...
Thomas Elias
Elias: Disney cowed by political power
For many generations, an American proverb stated that “Money talks, (other stuff) walks.” But maybe that old saying needs revision, as the sixth largest publicly...
Elias: Are we covering mansion payouts?
Here’s the likely outcome of the April 8 hearing set to follow the California insurance commissioner’s tentative mid-March approval of a 22% average rate increase...
Elias: Grid imperils state autonomy
If California wants power company executives from coal-happy states like Wyoming and Utah to run energy policy in this state, then the state Senate should...
Elias: Tech visas get needed analysis
President Trump does not often clash with his base supporters’ most essential beliefs, one of which is that most immigration to this country is destructive....
Elias: New names add pizzazz to governor’s race
It was only a matter of time before major new figures began to people California’s next run for governor, with its primary election coming up...
Elias: Rest in peace, Roger Diamond
If you’ve ever been accosted by an initiative or recall petition carrier outside a grocery, big box store a la Costco or Home Depot or...
Elias: Dense rebuild may be too risky
President Trump, Gov. Gavin Newsom and Karen Bass rarely are unanimous on anything. But all three have taken steps toward allowing victims of the January...
Elias: What would it take for a big utility to lose its monopoly?
The latest response of California’s top regulatory commission to a disaster caused by an electric company can lead to only one logical question: How badly...
Elias: Loosen permits in LA fire zones?
It was almost like a contest to see who could promise the quickest rebuilding when President Trump and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass sat down...
Elias: Newsom order is pure grandstanding
If ever there’s been a political move that amounted to pure grandstanding, it was Gov. Gavin Newsom’s late 2024 executive order telling a state commission...
Elias: Political vultures circle as fires burn
Like vultures sensing fresh carrion, some politicians began moving in with false information and nonsensical claims even as the flames of California’s most damaging fire...
Elias: Voting decline signals discontent
When Gov. Gavin Newsom looks out over the state Legislature while giving his still unscheduled state of the state speech sometime in the next few...
Commentary: New insurance law will work — for the companies
DISCLAIMER: The views expressed in this opinion piece are those of the author and do not reflect the views of The Coast News or its...
Elias: Newsom hasn’t let California get bullied
DISCLAIMER: The views expressed in this opinion piece are those of the author and do not reflect the views of The Coast News or its...