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Cropped Up
Is Urban Vertical Farming a Feasible Alternative to Traditional Agriculture in the City of Los Angeles? by Olivia Olson While the fields of lettuce, wheat, or soy encountered on a road trip may appear vast, the world’s arable land is indeed finite, with climate change’s specter further threatening to reduce an already taxed resource. A 2016 report by the FAO additionally demonstrates the impacts of population growth on agriculture, given that “80% of the total Read more…
A Bisexual 63-Year-Old Woman Spent Five Years Couch Surfing in LA and Worries She May Have to Again
Richard Green quoted by LAist on how seniors are the fastest growing unhoused population. The pandemic exacerbated Southern California’s affordability crisis for renters because people are moving less.
The Supreme Court just took a case on the EPA’s authority. Its decision could undo most major federal laws.
Pamela Clouser McCann co-authored a piece written for the Washington Post‘s Monkey Cage policy analysis column. Our research finds that if the Supreme Court were to invalidate either the EPA’s authority or the vaccine mandate under this doctrine, it might unravel nearly every major law Congress has passed since World War II. Nearly every one of these laws involves delegating authority to U.S. agencies. To find out why, read about it here.
Fiscal Legibility and State Development: Theory and Evidence from Colonial Mexico
Due to human error on our part, we did not record a major portion of Emily Sellars PIPE Workshop talk on fiscal legibility and state development. Apologies to those who were unable to attend the live presentation. For your convenience, here is the full transcript, saved from the live captioning during the event. In addition, Sellars was kind enough to share her slides (see below) and the paper (also below). Fiscal Legibility and State Development: Read more…
Americans Don’t Trust Their Congressional Maps to be Drawn Fairly. Can Anything Change That?
FiveThirtyEight quoted redistricting research co-authored by Christian Grose. Researchers at the University of Southern California found that when California voters were told the state uses independent commissions (which it does) and the process was explained to them, 73% of respondents thought the process was fair. But when they were told the state legislature draws the lines (which it doesn’t) just 32% thought the process was fair. “[T]he ability to explain to voters how [commissions] actually work Read more…
California Attorney General Says Riverside Sheriff’s Defense of Extremist Oath Keepers is ‘Disturbing’
Quoted by LAist, Erroll Southers says there are different factions of the Oath Keepers, with some more anti-government than others, Southers said, but he argued that doesn’t excuse the Riverside County sheriff’s defense of the group. “To be currently serving in a law enforcement position and to defend a group that participated in an insurrection where officers were killed at the United States Capitol, there is no justification for that.”
How will diverse voters be represented in California’s new election districts?
Across the state, organizers are banding together to make sure new congressional, legislative and local districts lead to diverse representation. The track record of the Citizens Redistricting Commission is mixed, according to two recent studies. One of the studies, The California Citizens Redistricting Commission: Fair Maps, Voting Rights, and Diversity, was co-written by Bedrosian Center associate Christian R. Grose, Academic Director, USC Schwarzeneggar Institute. Also quoted by San Diego Union-Tribune
Robert F. Kennedy’s assassin granted parole
Jody Armour interviewed by Fox News affiliate KTTV regarding parole decision for Sirhan Sirhan who has been incarcerated for 50 years for the assassination of Senator Robert F. Kennedy. Armour believes the push towards prison reform in Los Angeles County will promote racial justice for marginalized groups, and that the Sirhan hearing represents a milestone. “It’s a sign of the times. We’ve been in a debate over the last couple years about what criminal justice should Read more…
Report Outlines Steps to End Anti-Black Racism in L.A.
KCRW-FM and the Los Angeles Sentinel featured Ange-Marie Hancock Alfaro of the USC Dornsife College as the co-author of a new report detailing steps to dismantle institutional anti-Black racism in Los Angeles. “The Path to Justice Runs through Equity: Ending Anti-Black Racism in Los Angeles” contains recommendations in seven critical areas that are priorities for African Americans. “If the schools get good for Black kids, there’re going to get good for Latinx kids, White kids, and Asian American Read more…
California Gubernatorial Recall Election
Abby K. Wood of the USC Gould School was interviewed live on KABC-TV regarding the gubernatorial recall election. “If you want to keep the governor in office but think, ‘If my side doesn’t win, I want a say in who replaces him,’ then you should answer question 2. It will not void your dislike of the recall.” Abby K. Wood Tweet
Behind Police Leaders Claims That Bail Reform Is Responsible For Surge In Violence
CBS News Chicago affiliate WBBM-TV quoted Jody Armour of the USC Gould School on how cash bail is not to blame for the spike in violent crime. “Cash bail can make the criminal justice system seem “even less morally credible” by seemingly imposing a “special tax on poor people, because if you have money, you get out on bail.” Jody Armour Tweet Read the full article
What does the new census data mean for California redistricting?
Spectrum News 1 featured Christian Grose of the USC Dornsife College on what the new census data mean for California redistricting. “I do think the far north might be a place that you would see a district go away. You’ve got two districts right now in the far northern part of the state, one that kind of hugs the coastline and another one that’s the inland.” Christian Grose Tweet Read the full article
California gubernatorial candidates
Fox News Los Angeles affiliate KTTV-TV featured Christian Grose of the USC Dornsife College on the debate between Republican gubernatorial candidates. “If I had to pick a front-runner, I think Kevin Faulconer is probably the strongest candidate but there are others who were not on the debate stage last night [at the Nixon Library] who have a strong following.” Christian Grose Tweet Read the full article