What is a crisis of confidence, and how do we get over it?
Columns, OpinionDavid Newton, a professor at Westmont College, is the editor of a new book called “Crisis of Confidence.” It has a clever title. And, for the public-affairs junkie, it’s a good, quick read through the fiscal and public policy challenges facing the country. There is a thorough explanation of the “fiscal cliff” that we face Read More →
Finding cures for the corporate class-action lawsuit epidemic
Columns, OpinionThe plague of class-action lawsuits afflicting corporate America is spreading across the Tri-Counties. A stock-price drop. Bam. A merger announcement. Bam. Trying to take a company private. Bam. For journalists, the announcement of a class-action lawsuit typically comes in the form of a press release that gets wide dissemination on BusinessWire and on Yahoo Finance. Read More →
Central Coast small businesses stack up well against rest of Golden State
Columns, OpinionThe Central Coast finished at the top of California’s regional rankings, with the Bay Area a very close second.
UCSB’s ocean science center holds out hope for bright future
Columns, OpinionA walk through the half-finished construction project on Lagoon Road on the UC Santa Barbara campus underscores the fact that creating successful public-private partnerships in a post-recession world is a tough job indeed. The project, which boasts some of the best views of the Channel Islands anywhere, has been much in the news lately because Read More →
Stagterity: An economic ailment the region may not shake easily
Columns, OpinionBy the time Gov. Jerry Brown’s desperate actions to close a $15.7 billion budget gap trickle down to the Central Coast, the region will be stuck at zero growth rates for as far as the eye can see. What we face is a situation where stagnation is fueled by austerity, resulting in a condition I’ve Read More →
Nominations sought for Latino Business Awards
Latest newsI’m proud to announce that the Pacific Coast Business Times is launching its first-ever Latino Business Awards. This special section, publishing June 22, recognizes the outstanding Latino business leaders and professionals who have helped to shape the Tri-Counties. We’re currently seeking nominations to get the inaugural issue of this exciting special section off the blocks. Read More →
What would Louis Lancaster think about our world economy?
ColumnsWho was Louis Lancaster? What would he think about the world economy today? Those are deeply interrelated questions that UC Santa Barbara economics professor Benjamin J. Cohen will be answering when he gives the 65th anniversary talk to the Channel City Club on May 18. Cohen, who goes by Jerry, holds the Lancaster Chair in Read More →
