Early head’s up on my Sunday column:

No wonder we can’t solve California’s problems. We’re in perpetual political spin because of elections every year. All these elections mean that there’s no time — and no appetite — for substantive public policy discussions.

Consider that since 2002, California has held statewide elections every year thanks to the “off years” being filled with the Gray Davis recall election in 2003 and Arnold Schwarzenegger’s special election in 2005. That’s five straight years with elections, and six out of the last seven.

That’s why the much-needed infrastructure bond fell apart in Sacramento, even though the Democratic leadership in the Legislature and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger agree it’s needed. It’s hard work drafting the details of a massive state bond and then reaching bipartisan agreement. Our politicians would rather make election promises than produce something of substance.

I’ll expand on this subject in my column that runs Sunday in The Bee’s Vision section. Here's the link to my column archive.