California Doing California Things

[Shadowy Man]

TL;DR - Economies of scale impose a defacto single national (or even multinational) set of standards that is equal to the highest standard set in any sub-region. It's of zero relevance whether the standard is set at the state level or at the federal level, it will be complied with (or exceeded) nationwide anyway.

I get what you are saying but I still ask by what principle does the federal government get to overrule the state’s decision on its standards?

 

[ZiprHead]

TL;DR - Economies of scale impose a defacto single national (or even multinational) set of standards that is equal to the highest standard set in any sub-region. It's of zero relevance whether the standard is set at the state level or at the federal level, it will be complied with (or exceeded) nationwide anyway.

I get what you are saying but I still ask by what principle does the federal government get to overrule the state’s decision on its standards?

No principle.

 

[Jimmy Higgins]

So republicans are ok with states regulating abortions even to the extent of criminalizing interstate travel but not ok with states regulating their own emission standards and vehicle sales?

The EV mandate initiated by the insufferable prick Newsom was an arbitrary decree. So I’m fine with it being binned. And be aware, quite a few democrats voted to bin the mandate.

So it’s “things I don’t like” that’s the principle at play?

Some things are federally controlled, other things are state controlled. But the people of California never had a say on Newsom’s diktat.

Newsom was elected by the people, so they had a say in policy.

I think an EV mandate is cart well before the horse and is good policy and I'm uncertain how in the world metropolitan areas could manage the adoption. As a result, this thing would be like the adoption of HD in the US. It is likely going to be kicked down the road. We aren't even in a position for a single standard in automotive charging as that is emerging tech.

The State was provided the leeway to manage pollution. The GOP is stepping in because... electrification has been politicized by the GOP for some reason. Not because of reasonable logistical issues with the adoption of the mandate as well as how the benefits of EVs long-term are still uncertain due to battery recycling issues down the road.

Regardless, if this is passed by Congress and signed into law, I have no idea what premise for a lawsuit would be viable in court by California. There is no question of legal intent and this wouldn't be an Exec Order flying in the face of other laws, unlike all the other shit Trump is pulling.

 

[TSwizzle]

Parents across the political spectrum are up in arms after San Francisco's school district announced a new plan that will see pass marks lowered. Superintendent of Schools Maria Su unveiled the new 'Grading for Equity' plan last night that will scrap homework and weekly testing, and allow students to pass with scores as low as 41 - down from the current pass mark of 61. It comes after left-wing activists argued that homework and testing disproportionately affects students from poorer backgrounds and creates an uneven playing field.

Daily Mail

No wonder so many people opt to home school or go private.

 

[thebeave]

Parents across the political spectrum are up in arms after San Francisco's school district announced a new plan that will see pass marks lowered. Superintendent of Schools Maria Su unveiled the new 'Grading for Equity' plan last night that will scrap homework and weekly testing, and allow students to pass with scores as low as 41 - down from the current pass mark of 61. It comes after left-wing activists argued that homework and testing disproportionately affects students from poorer backgrounds and creates an uneven playing field.

Daily Mail

No wonder so many people opt to home school or go private.

Disgusting, but hardly shocking. Its all part of California's race to the bottom.

 

[Politesse]

It was not the best idea, but that was also the general consensus; the plan has already been scrapped, after existing (as a single powerpoint slide at a meeting) for about two days. That said, a similar pilot plan is already being tested over in San Leandro, with widely differing reception from various quarters.

 

[Shadowy Man]

Parents across the political spectrum are up in arms after San Francisco's school district announced a new plan that will see pass marks lowered. Superintendent of Schools Maria Su unveiled the new 'Grading for Equity' plan last night that will scrap homework and weekly testing, and allow students to pass with scores as low as 41 - down from the current pass mark of 61. It comes after left-wing activists argued that homework and testing disproportionately affects students from poorer backgrounds and creates an uneven playing field.

Daily Mail

No wonder so many people opt to home school or go private.

Disgusting, but hardly shocking. Its all part of California's race to the bottom.

California or just San Francisco?

 

[thebeave]

Parents across the political spectrum are up in arms after San Francisco's school district announced a new plan that will see pass marks lowered. Superintendent of Schools Maria Su unveiled the new 'Grading for Equity' plan last night that will scrap homework and weekly testing, and allow students to pass with scores as low as 41 - down from the current pass mark of 61. It comes after left-wing activists argued that homework and testing disproportionately affects students from poorer backgrounds and creates an uneven playing field.

Daily Mail

No wonder so many people opt to home school or go private.

Disgusting, but hardly shocking. Its all part of California's race to the bottom.

California or just San Francisco?

Well, certainly SF as this particular policy is a local issue. But progressive lawmakers in California are enamored with the idea of equity, so it seems likely to catch on in other parts of the state soon, unless sanity prevails somehow. Kamala loves her some equity, so if she, god forbid, gets elected governor we might see more of this kind of thing.

ETA: I see per Politesse's post that the SF plan has been 86'd.

 

[Politesse]

ETA: I see per Politesse's post that the SF plan has been 86'd.

Indeed, was never implemented in any way. The mere mention of it at a meeting drew considerable ire from the wider community, so it died at the idea stage.

 

[Politesse]

Not sure what you consider "Progressive" exactly, but I would consider some of the most noted naysayers in this case, like Mayor Lurie and congressman Ro Khanna, to be at least Progressive-leaning. If this was "progressive legislation", it clearly wasn't a hit with progressive politicians.

 

[scombrid]

But we should still eliminate the FTC, EPA, NOAA, Department of Education, CDC and then imprison immigrants in third party countries irrespective of their status prior to imprisonment because libs...Look what the libs made us do. If it wasn't for these stupid California things we wouldn't have to Stalin-Lysenko our USDA, NIH, NSF and such.

 

[Derec]

California or just San Francisco?

According to this, the lower cutoffs for grades were inspired by policies of the San Leandro school district.
Grading for Equity coming to San Francisco high schools this fall

Currently, a student needs a 90 for an A and at least 61 for a D. Under the San Leandro Unified School District’s grading for equity system touted by the San Francisco Unified School District and its consultant, a student with a score as low as 80 can attain an A and as low as 21 can pass with a D.

San Leandro is just across the Bay.

 

[Derec]

Not sure what you consider "Progressive" exactly, but I would consider some of the most noted naysayers in this case, like Mayor Lurie and congressman Ro Khanna, to be at least Progressive-leaning. If this was "progressive legislation", it clearly wasn't a hit with progressive politicians.

Sometimes idiocy of local fauxgressives is too much even for the likes of Ro Khanna. Daniel Lurie is a moderate though, isn't he?

 

[Shadowy Man]

California or just San Francisco?

According to this, the lower cutoffs for grades were inspired by policies of the San Leandro school district.
Grading for Equity coming to San Francisco high schools this fall

Currently, a student needs a 90 for an A and at least 61 for a D. Under the San Leandro Unified School District’s grading for equity system touted by the San Francisco Unified School District and its consultant, a student with a score as low as 80 can attain an A and as low as 21 can pass with a D.

San Leandro is just across the Bay.

With no context of what it takes to get an 80 or a 90 it’s hard to judge what this will mean.

What do you all think about classes that grade on a curve? That’s been around for decades; we used to do it when I was a TA in grad school.

 

[thebeave]

Not sure what you consider "Progressive" exactly, but I would consider some of the most noted naysayers in this case, like Mayor Lurie and congressman Ro Khanna, to be at least Progressive-leaning. If this was "progressive legislation", it clearly wasn't a hit with progressive politicians.

Sometimes idiocy of local fauxgressives is too much even for the likes of Ro Khanna. Daniel Lurie is a moderate though, isn't he?

Yep, Lurie is considered a moderate Democrat by most standards. Which makes him a "right winger" on the SF political scale. He seems smart and pretty pragmatic and I am hopeful he can make some much needed positive changes for the city.

 

[TV and credit cards]

California or just San Francisco?

According to this, the lower cutoffs for grades were inspired by policies of the San Leandro school district.
Grading for Equity coming to San Francisco high schools this fall

Currently, a student needs a 90 for an A and at least 61 for a D. Under the San Leandro Unified School District’s grading for equity system touted by the San Francisco Unified School District and its consultant, a student with a score as low as 80 can attain an A and as low as 21 can pass with a D.

San Leandro is just across the Bay.

With no context of what it takes to get an 80 or a 90 it’s hard to judge what this will mean.

What do you all think about classes that grade on a curve? That’s been around for decades; we used to do it when I was a TA in grad school.

I could see grading on a curve once for overall poor performance of the class on a test or throwing out a particular question if enough students all got the wrong answer. In either case the instruction and test need to be reviewed. It's easier to adjust grades than it is curriculum and I would venture to guess easier to adjust curriculum than it is an instructor who is phoning it in.
At the navy tech school we had one instructor that couldn't even manage to teach the Environmental Control Group subsystem (heat exchangers and air dryers) so he was made the building manager (light bulbs and flush valves).

 

[TSwizzle]

California is bracing for the closure of two major oil refineries, including one in the Bay Area. State lawmakers are sounding the alarm on what that could mean for gas prices. In the East Bay, the Valero Benicia Refinery is expected to close in April 2026. Down in Southern California, owners of the Phillips 66 refinery are also planning to stop operations in the next year. Either way, fewer refineries will mean higher prices. It’s a simple case of supply and demand. That has some state lawmakers concerned about the future. Assemblymember Cottie Petrie-Norris (D-Irvine) said, “If all we’re doing here in California is reducing our emissions, which are 1% global emissions, it doesn’t matter a damn. I would argue again that when we’re thinking about climate leadership, we need to make sure that the policies that we’re implementing here in California are affordable and accessible for all Californians. I know that what climate leadership does not look like, and that is $10 gas.”
The head of California’s energy commission is telling lawmakers that the closure of two refineries could force the state to import more gas. So far, there has been no action from the assembly. One estimate from the University of Southern California shows gas prices could jump by 75 percent when the refineries close. That would add up to more than $8 a gallon next year.

News

California is governed by imbeciles.

 

[Elixir]

California is governed by imbeciles.

Which State is governed by non-imbeciles? Alabama? Texas?
Have you considered moving?

 

[TomC]

California is governed by imbeciles.

Which do you think will hit Californians harder, the closure of two refineries or Trump putting his tariffs on Chinese imports and getting rid of undocumented workers?

I don't know about the California government but there are sure imbecile residents.
Tom

 

[TomC]

"The head of California’s energy commission is telling lawmakers that the closure of two refineries could force the state to import more gas. So far, there has been no action from the assembly. One estimate from the University of Southern California shows gas prices could jump by 75 percent when the refineries close. That would add up to more than $8 a gallon next year."

I'm calling bullshit.
I'm guessing that California government policy has reduced the amount of gasoline demand enough that old refineries aren't needed enough and so cannot remain profitable. And the author of that steaming pile doesn't think that people like @TSwizzle can figure out what a pile of bullshit it is.

I don't believe for one second that the closure of two, out of the hundreds of refineries in the USA, will result in a 75% increase in gasoline prices. It's not like California is importing gasoline from China. TSwizzle seems to think that Californian buyers will have to import gasoline from Nevada carrying it in buckets.
Tom