Monkeys and Rotten Apples!! Nevada Says California is Bad for Business!
In one TV ad, California legislators are portrayed as monkeys. In another, California is depicted as a chewed up apple (What, not an Orange?) Then there’s the time worn lipstick on a pig — more on that later. All the ads were created for the Nevada Development Authority with the first to be aired today on Los Angeles television in a quest to lure California businesses across the border.
You can view the ads here.
The effort received a grand kick-off yesterday with Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman in attendance. The Nevada folks made no bones about shooting California when it’s down. But then they had plenty to aim at. All the ads play the siren song to businesses of lower taxes, fewer regulations, lower workers comp costs and a friendlier business climate in Nevada. The ads specifically tout no corporate income taxes, no personal income taxes, and lower workers comp. The message for businesses, including small businesses: If you stay in California, “Kiss Your Assets Goodbye.”
Brown Doesn’t Need to Spend His Money
Over his decades on California’s political scene, it’s always been a trick to tell when Attorney General Jerry Brown is joking and when he’s dead serious.
Still, it’s hard to imagine that Brown, who can be one intense guy, didn’t have at least a hint of a grin when he released his take on the latest fund-raising numbers in the Democratic race for governor.
As of June 30, Brown had $7.3 million in his campaign war chest, compared to $1.2 million for San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom, the only official Democratic candidate for governor. Even more tellingly, Brown only spent $253,181 in that same period, while Newsom burned through $1.5 million.
Those numbers, Brown said, show that his campaign is “exercising the fiscal discipline desperately needed in government today.’’
Try being a politician and saying that with a straight face.
Why the California Small Business Association Endorsed Steve Poizner
The California Small Business Association was founded to provide small business with a meaningful and resounding voice in state and federal government. As advocates for growing small businesses and rebuilding our state’s economy, we know there is no better candidate for Governor than Steve Poizner.
Personally, I have been extremely impressed by Steve Poizner’s ability to solve problems and protect small businesses during his time as Insurance Commissioner. As Insurance Commissioner, Steve has cut fees generally paid by small business at the Department of Insurance by an average of 6% and on his watch, insurance fees have decreased by more than $2 billion. The members of the CSBA have benefited greatly from Steve’s actions and I have no doubt that California’s broader economy has also benefited from these cost cutting measures.
As small business owner myself, I know what it means to craft a budget, meet payroll, and create jobs. Those skills and experiences are something that stick with small business owners and that’s why the CSBA is thrilled to endorse the only former small business owner running for Governor.
Who to Watch in the CD-10 Special Election
A long left to right airplane ride from California to New York State gave me time to research more fully the FEC reports and e-campaigns from the 14 candidates in the Special Election for Ellen Tauscher’s seat in Congressional District 10. Here’s what I’ve seen in print and on the ground –
Lt. Gov. John Garamendi – Declared the “frontrunner” due to his statewide pedigree – nobody has seen the guy in CD-10 in the last few weeks. He raised $300,000 in the latest filing and had $260,000 COH. His most interesting donor is former “St. Elsewhere” Actor and now political activist Ed Begley, Jr.
At a recent Innovation Summit in Livermore, Garamendi was questioned after his luncheon speech about what he would do to increase innovation beyond increasing government funding. He really had no clear answer beyond spending more money however his name ID might just carry him to the run-off.