Opposition Forms to Oppose New Taxes

The fight over tax increases did not end with the passage of Propositions 30 and 39 in the November election. Especially with the Democratic majority securing a two-thirds vote in both legislative houses, the threat of more tax increases is apparent and the business community is organizing to oppose potential taxes. Already, an oil severance […]

My Remedy for California Republicans: Emphasize the Double E

Delegates at the California Republican convention this weekend heard a lot of ideas on how to bring the party back from its downward spiral so I thought I’d add my formula for recovery. Emphasize the “right to rise,” as President Abraham Lincoln called it, by focusing on the Double E: Education and Entrepreneurship. There is […]

Pink Slip the Teacher Pink Slip

A simple common sense change to the law requiring notification to teachers that their jobs might be in danger has to sidestep political opportunists who wouldn’t mind keeping the current law intact. Senator Bob Huff’s SB 559 would push back the date schools have to send warning notices to teachers informing them that they may […]

The Curious Timing of Sen. Rubio’s Resignation

Senator Michael Rubio’s sudden resignation to take a job with the Chevron Corporation on the day Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg released his CEQA “reforms” made the timing of Rubio’s announcement very interesting. Rubio had been selected by Steinberg to chair the Senate Environmental Quality Committee and take the lead on CEQA reforms. Governor […]

Politics of the Youth Vote

One advantage Democrats enjoyed during the recent election was the youth vote and Democratic lawmakers have introduced a number of bills that press that advantage. While the aroma of politics permeates these bills, Republicans might want to consider that they have to make inroads with young voters and decide if at least one or two […]

LAPD Ghosts Circle Dorner Case

While only about 30 people appeared at Los Angeles Police Department headquarters this past weekend to protest the handling of the Christopher Dorner manhunt, LAPD Chief Charlie Beck realizes that the Dorner crisis could open some deep wounds in the community. That is why he ordered a re-opening of the case on Dorner’s allegations that […]

Presidents and the Oscars

Since American presidents play a prominent role in this year’s Oscar race for best picture, this Presidents Day, less than a week before the Oscars presentations, I thought it would be a good time to revisit the old Hollywood-Washington connection. Of course, one of the best picture nominees is Lincoln. Daniel Day Lewis’s portrayal of […]

Minimum Wage Proposals Another Punch at Small Business

Minimum wage is back in the spotlight highlighted by  President  Barack Obama in the State of the Union address and a bill in the California legislature. For small business, the idea feels like another jab following the one-two punch from government with increases in health care mandates and taxes. The president argued to raise the […]

Initiative Process Faces Test in U.S. Court of Appeals

A case has reached the United States Court of Appeals, 10th Circuit, challenging the initiative process as a violation of the United States Constitution’s Article IV Section 4 that reads in part: “The United States shall guarantee to every State in this Union a Republican Form of Government.” California’s famous Proposition 13 made its way […]

L.A. Chamber Makes a Bad Bargain on Sales Tax Hike

The Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce agreed to support a half-cent sales tax hike to help the city out of a budget hole in exchange for a promise that the City Council will create a Commission on Fiscal Sustainability. Not much of a bargain when you consider that commission recommendations usually go nowhere. I know. […]