What message do you think American voters sent Congress on Nov. 6, and do you think the new composition of Congress will at all change its ability to get things done?

The voters sent a clear message that they want Washington to work together to solve our national problems. They want to see real bipartisan solutions forged in the middle; not more partisan bickering designed to appeal to the extreme wings of either party.

For its supporters, Proposition 37’s failure does not signal the end for the GMO labeling movement

Despite concerns about implications of the Supreme Court’s 2010 Citizens United decision, the recent election proved, in many cases, that pouring mysterious millions into a campaign doesn’t necessarily guarantee the desired effect.

President Barack Obama saw significant success in battleground states, despite the fact that candidate Mitt Romney and his allies outspent him in almost all of them. In California, Gov. Jerry Brown’s Proposition 30 won, and Proposition 32 lost, much to the chagrin of billionaires like Charles Munger Jr. and the Koch brothers, who spent millions to produce the opposite outcome.

The Santa Cruz Fruit Tree Project’s urban gleaning effort grows

It’s impossible to gauge the exact amount of fruit and vegetables that go to waste every year in California, but a 2010 University of Southern California study estimated it to be millions of tons. Most of our rotting fruit lies on the floors of orchards and fields, but plenty also goes unused in yards and public spaces in urban areas.

Now that Democrats have won a supermajority in both houses of the state legislature—including your newly won seat on the state assembly—what can we expect will change in Sacramento, if anything? What might get done that hasn’t been possible in recent years?

To understand what possible changes lie ahead in Sacramento, it’s important to acknowledge the monumental changes that have already occurred. Back in 2010, Proposition 25 granted the California legislature the authority to approve state budgets with a simple majority. Californians also opted for a new primary system, which allowed the top two vote-getters to proceed to the general election, regardless of their party.

A look at the rail corridor’s history reveals a struggle for local control

The origins of the 32 miles of railroad that spans the distance between Watsonville and Davenport, once linking the county’s port-side communities with the outside world, resembles a David and Goliath story—the little guy taking on the giant, says local historian Sandy Lydon. But in this version, the little guy loses.

The tale revolves around local business people who, in competition with the state’s largest and most historically ruthless corporation, started their own local railroad, but eventually lost it all to the giant.

UCSC lecturer teaches students to give back to the community

Franklin WIlliams’ office at UC Santa Cruz’s Kresge College is a smattering of knick-knacks, wall-to-wall photo collages, awards, and items destined for donation that he has received from friends, loved ones, students, and others. Judging by these mementos, the work the local grassroots homeless advocate has been doing at the school and in the community has left quite an impression.

Author Mark Paul on what’s wrong with our state’s initiative process

Californians pass initiatives that prevent lawmakers from doing their jobs. Their inability to do much in turn frustrates residents, who then pass more laws that, in turn, frustrate and impede lawmakers. This, says author Mark Paul, is what’s wrong with California. He calls it “the cycle of contempt.” Paul served as deputy treasurer of California and is a former editorial writer and editor for the Sacramento Bee. He co-authored the book “California Crack Up: How reform broke the Golden State and how we can fix it,” and will give a talk in Santa Cruz on Thursday, Nov. 15 titled “Breaking the Cycle of Contempt: How to Fix the Initiative.” GT caught up with Paul the day after the election.

Can the Monterey Bay Area agree on how to market the region globally?

What do places like the “Wine Country” of Napa-Sonoma County, the French Riviera, or, closer to home, Silicon Valley, have in common? Roger Wasson, a PR expert and president of Wasson Idea Farming, argues they have identifiable brands that evoke a certain image around the world. The “brand” gives these places an identity that potential visitors and customers already know something about.

The Lotus Collaborative tackles eating disorders in Santa Cruz

Anorexia has the highest premature mortality rate of any psychiatric disorder, with most deaths attributable to physiological complications. Yet, says Dr. Elizabeth Esalen, there is still a dangerously misguided public perception of eating disorders.

How prepared is California for implementation of the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, and what does the state have to do before it can comply?

California has been described by others as setting the pace in its implementation of federal healthcare reform, also known as the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA), as the state was one of the first to establish a healthcare benefit exchange. Starting in late 2013, the California Health Benefit Exchange will make it easier for individuals and small businesses to compare healthcare plans and purchase healthcare insurance in the private marketplace.