Top-Two Primary Twist on the State’s Top Job – Next Time
Reading the media reports and commentary about California governor’s race one would conclude that Jerry Brown might rack up the biggest one sided victory for that office since Earl Warren captured 91% essentially running against himself in 1946. Warren was nominated for governor by both major political parties, something that could happen in those days. […]
A Moment of (Semi) Agreement with John Vasconcellos
With the passing of John Vasconcellos, it has been frequently noted that the former legislator was often ridiculed for his self-esteem commission. I was on that bandwagon at the time, but way in the back, on rare occasion poking at the commission as another area in which government was extending its influence while ignoring basic […]
Good Budget News Hasn’t Stopped the Tax Train (No, Not THAT Train)
Release of the May budget revision brought back debate over the state’s high speed rail proposal but, the good news budget should have squelched talk of more taxes – call it the tax train—from chugging along. It hasn’t. With the improved economy, Governor Jerry Brown will boast that his plan for Proposition 30 is working. […]
Howard Jarvis Would be OK with Prop 13 Related Bill
The compromise bill that came out of a legislative committee to capture property re-assessment of business property that changes ownership would receive a nod from Proposition 13 co-author Howard Jarvis. This shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone who pays attention. A year ago I wrote in this space that I accompanied Jarvis to a Los […]
How to Pay for California’s Budget Spending?
Governor Jerry Brown was clear in his budget press conference that California is pushing the boundaries of a growing welfare state. As the governor put it, California is a progressive state that has made tremendous commitments – and they must be paid for. Even the surprise surplus revenue of $2.4 billion above projected revenue is […]
Election Strategy by Business Interests Deals with Wild Card in AD 16
Business versus labor in California elections is not new but that old tug-of-war is being played out with gusto in Assembly District 16, the East San Francisco Bay district. In the strongly Democratic leaning state, many political players in the business community are following a strategy to boost business friendly Democrats. They found one in […]
The Small Business Highway and Small Business Day
Traditionally, California small businesses have been recognized with a resolution declaring June Small Business Month but Assemblyman Dan Logue has a more permanent recognition in mind. Since small business accounts for 99-percent of the state’s employers, Logue has introduced a resolution to name a stretch of Highway 99 the California Small Business Highway. “Small businesses […]
SB 1021: The Slippery Slope of Property Classification for Tax Purposes
Beware the slippery slope leading to confusing tax policy if Senate Bill 1021 becomes law. As previously discussed on this site, SB 1021 would allow a form of property taxation for schools based on square footage of a parcel or the classification of property. To many, this measure is the first step in a campaign […]
LA Commission: Insiders Acknowledge Lack of Transparency
Between the lines of the Los Angeles 2020 Commission Report, “A Time for Action” one can read this less than startling revelation: City politicians are dishonest and untruthful with the public. Consider the recommendations and words used in the report meant to offer solutions to the city’s woes. The first recommendation the commission offered was […]
LA Times Blames “Geography” for Business Moves
The Los Angeles Times went on the offensive Friday sticking up for California’s battered business climate in the wake of Toyota’s big move to Texas. In a multi-front campaign, the paper’s front page had a featured news article with charts to argue that California businesses are doing fine relative to Texas. The editorial page carried […]