Foon Rhee
The Sacramento Bee
Sacramento, CA, United States
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Past articles by Foon:
A brave new world of transit is coming to West Sacramento. Just ask Mayor Christopher Cabaldon
Mayor Christopher Cabaldon has a new vision for public transit in West Sacramento that includes bike sharing, on-demand vans, electric vehicles. It could just become a national model. → Read More
Is Sacramento County's new voting system making the count even slower?
California goes out of its way to make it as easy as possible to vote, bends over backwards to make sure every vote is counted and lets voters have their say on many more issues than most states. Expanding democracy, however, comes with trade-offs that are amplified by sending mail ballots to all voters. → Read More
The California military cemetery that became a national shame
The Mare Island Naval Cemetery, the oldest military cemetery on the West Coast, is in utter disrepair, but there’s new hope that it could look a lot better by next Memorial Day. → Read More
This was a really scary terrorist attack. Good thing it was only a drill.
During a full-scale exercise on Thursday, March, 22, 2018, hundreds of emergency personnel gathered at Sleep Train Arena to practice responding to a “dirty” bomb explosion. → Read More
Can California schools teach kids to spot fake news? Let’s hope so
A bill before the California Legislature aims to come up with statewide standards for teaching students about internet safety and fake news. If it works, Russian trolls would have a tougher time fooling voters in the 2020 election. → Read More
How badly is California getting soaked on flood insurance?
The National Flood Insurance Program is inundated with debt. California residents pay far more into the program than they are getting back. As we move into rainy season, a growing number of voices are urging the state to explore its own flood insurance program. → Read More
Why aren't Sacramento taxpayers getting more out of arena deal?
Under the 35-year lease with the Sacramento Kings for Golden 1 Center arena, the city gets to hold nine days of civic events a year, free of charge. But so far in 2017, the city has used only three. There are no other events scheduled this year, and it’s use it or lose it. → Read More
California’s inmate firefighters are cheap labor for a dangerous job
More than 3,700 state prisoners help fight wildfires in California. They average just $2 a day – plus credits off their sentences – but save the state an estimated $100 million a year. → Read More
CalPERS election is crucial, but most Californians can’t vote
Only CalPERS members get to choose two board members. But the contest matters more than many elections for local and state offices because decisions by the $333 billion pension fund’s board can swing local budgets and affect taxpayers across California. → Read More
Does Trump want to Make America White Again?
The president embraces a bill to slash legal immigration in half. He appears to be pandering to white, conservative voters, and listening to his white nationalist advisers. Demographers project that non-Hispanic whites will no longer be a majority by 2044. That is, unless there are dramatic changes – like drastically reducing immigration from Asia and Latin America. → Read More
California seeks justice for rape victims on the cheap
Legislators are considering a bill to let Californians donate toward the cause by checking a box on their state tax returns. Is this the best we can do? → Read More
Ethics office director Walter Shaub Jr. works to hold Trump accountable
The director of the Office of Government Ethics just won a showdown with the White House. But will he meet James Comey’s fate and get fired? → Read More
Is President Trump misfiring on trade?
Trump is focusing on unfair practices to reduce the U.S. trade deficit. But some economists say the real problem lies in countries with undervalued currencies. Now Trump has backtracked from calling China a currency manipulator in hopes it will help him on North Korea. → Read More
Charity begins at home, especially under Trump
With President Trump wanting to slash social program budgets to boost defense spending, donations to local charities are even more important. One of them is Meals on Wheels, which his budget director dismissed for not showing results. Riding with a volunteer might change his mind. → Read More
Should a performer’s politics matter?
A pro-Israel activist wants the city and Kings to cancel the show by Roger Waters, the former Pink Floyd frontman set to play Golden 1 Center on June 12, because Waters is a vocal critic of Israel’s policies toward Palestinians. The city and Kings say political views don’t decide who gets to play at the new arena. → Read More
Keeping kids in school should be elementary
School suspensions are down in California, but black students are still being sent home at far higher rates. A state law that restricts suspensions for “willful defiance” could make a difference. → Read More
How long must women wait for equal pay?
As women rally on Equal Pay Day on Tuesday, the latest study shows that it could take decades to reach parity if current trends hold. Laws like those passed in California can help, but it also will take a culture change in workplaces. → Read More
Which will be the bigger Trump scandal: Russia or conflicts?
The president’s business conflicts are as disturbing and important as Russian meddling in the election. While it’s way too early to talk impeachment – especially with a Republican Congress more than willing to look the other way – when enough of the ugly greediness is exposed, he’ll be severely wounded, a president without the public’s trust. → Read More
Journalists need to focus on Trump’s actions
When the president attacks the press, he chips away at one of the pillars of US democracy. → Read More
How democracy is growing in California cities
A new index shows that more city council members are being elected from districts and that more elections are being held on dates with higher turnouts. But there’s more work to do on campaign finance. → Read More