CA Economic Summit Says Answers Won’t Come from Sacramento
The first annual California Economic Summit sponsored by California Forward and the Think Long Committee saw the answers to California’s economic and political problems rising from the regions of California. At the same time, there was a strong indictment against Sacramento leadership in its efforts to improve economic and governance matters. Former United States Secretary […]
Adlai Stevenson III and The Black Book of Wisdom (With a Little Humor)
Interested in reading a book chock full of political wit and wisdom that took 150 years to write? The Black Book consists of anecdotes, stories, maxims, and humor collected by five generations of one prominent political family finally compiled by the most recent in the line, former United States Senator Adlai Stevenson III. From a […]
Prop 29 Debate Should Focus on Policy
The Yes on Proposition 29 tobacco tax campaign unveiled new advertisements yesterday, highlighting the issue of money. The Yes side points the finger at tobacco companies for funding the No campaign to the tune of $40-million. The Yes side says their campaign is about health, but it’s also about money, as well. For voters, the […]
Munger Campaign Poll Highlights Some Tax Choices—But Not All
The campaign to raise income taxes for schools headed by civil rights attorney Molly Munger released a memo on a campaign poll that argues voters would embrace her plan if they knew all the facts. The Munger campaign, which handily filed enough signatures to qualify the tax measure for the ballot, has been fighting the […]
It’s Raining Tax Increase Petition Signatures
You would think that the people of California are eager to raise taxes given the news the end of last week that three tax initiative proponents were filing millions of signatures in support of tax increase proposals designed for the November ballot. Governor Brown says he has the signatures in hand to qualify his tax […]
CEO Mag Taps CA Worst State to do Business – Again
Chief Executive Magazine’s annual survey of the Best & Worst states for business puts California in a familiar spot: #50. California was named the worst place to do business while Texas retained its position as the best. The survey was conducted with 650 CEOs from across the country who were asked to evaluate states on […]
What is California Forward Going to do?
California Forward, the reform group that has been working on a set of governance reforms for a number of years must make a decision – will the group file the signatures gathered under the auspices of their “action” division to put the reform initiative on the November ballot? The group has been pressured from different […]
Stop Special Interest Money Initiative Hits First at Big Business
The Stop Special Interest Money initiative (SSIM), which has qualified for the November ballot, bans corporate and labor union donations to candidates and prohibits corporations, government employers and labor unions from deducting funds from paychecks to be used for political purposes. Public employee unions are rallying to oppose the measure saying its purpose is to […]
Taxes in the Bag – Paper and Plastic Bags That Is
Plaintiffs are appealing Los Angeles County’s requirement of a bag “charge” because they say the charge is a violation of Proposition 26 passed by voters in 2010. You might remember Proposition 26 – another in a long line of measures the voters have approved to put some control over taxes and what government bureaucrats fondly […]
Small Business Tax Cut in Congress Could Spur the Economy
A key to unleashing the economy is to give small businesses a chance to grow and create new jobs. An effort to boost small business is H.R. 9, passed by the House of Representatives last week. I strongly urge California Senators Barbara Boxer and Dianne Feinstein and the entire Senate to act quickly and pass […]