Bet Against Nevada Poaching Businesses
By now, most readers of this site are aware of the campaign kicked off by the Nevada Development Authority to lure California businesses across the state line. The Nevada ads faced counter advertising, which sang the praises of California. The Golden State commercials were created for and paid by Assemblyman Jose Solorio (D-Santa Ana).
But, while Nevada has grounds to belittle the business environment in California, this effort to lure businesses could backfire if California, in turn, goes after Nevada’s main prize – its gambling empire.
This idea of hitting Nevada where it hurts came to me after reading a column by Los Angeles Times sportswriter, Kurt Streeter. He argued that California should allow gambling through sports books and use the fees to help pay down the state debt. Legalize it and tax it, Streeter says.
Emergency Control of the Internet At the Expense of the States, and the People
A bill being crafted in the closed-rooms of our nation’s capital raises serious concerns about interference by the Federal government in the affairs of the states, and in the lives of our citizens. This seems to be just another rush to judgment on a complex issue that impacts millions of people without their input.
The United States has recently been the victim of a rash of cyber attacks, most notably by the Chinese and North Korean governments. There is no question that cybersecurity must be increased, but that does not mean that the Federal Government, which has continuously failed to protect its own infrastructure, should be trusted with the takeover of local government and private-sector networks, least of all without broad input from the affected parties.
Declan McCullagh, of CNET News, released an excerpt of draft legislation by West Virginia Senator Jay Rockefeller which appears to authorize the President to seize temporary control of private sector networks. The bill would allow the President to “declare a cybersecurity emergency” and “direct the national response to a cyber threat.” What specifically is a cyber threat? It is defined loosely as any threat having to do with the Internet, telecommunications, computers, or computer networks.
State Associations should rethink taking a ‘Seat at the Table’
We are all familiar with the scene played out in various movies where the evil madman at the head of the table pushes a button which triggers a trap door beneath the chair occupied by a person who dared question the authority or wisdom of the madman.
I couldn’t help but think of this familiar scene as I watched and spoke at last week’s protest rally against excessive regulations in Sacramento. The event was sponsored by the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association and the California TEA Party, with participation from the California Dump Truck Owners Association, the Pacific Legal Foundation and several other organizations from throughout the State, most notably, those representing the farmers in the Central Valley whose water has been cut off, ostensibly for the sake of the delta smelt. Keynote speakers included Congressmen Tom McClintock and Devin Nunes, along with, State Senator George Runner, and Mark Meckler, a National and State Coordinator of the TEA Party Patriots. Some 10,000 people were in attendance.
Throughout the day I couldn’t help but think of the organizations that did not sponsor or, in the least, make their presence and support known in any conspicuous manner, which brings me back to the all too familiar movie scene.
Got Manufacturing?: ‘We’ve lost 8 to 10 NUMMI’s a year in CA’
Unfortunately, the Toyota portion of NUMMI (New United Motor Manufacturing Inc.) will follow GM’s path and vacate their Fremont, California manufacturing facility, despite broad support from the Assembly Jobs Committee at a Tuesday hearing.
NUMMI’s decision shows what is certain to materialize for other companies and their suppliers if state policymakers don’t produce a competitive manufacturing environment: California facilities will be the first to go when tough economic decisions are made. Uncertainty, regulatory costs and taxes are simply too high in California.