Friday Issues: The 11th Commandment; Property Taxes; SF Pensions
When Ronald Reagan first ran for governor of California, he faced a hailstorm of sniping and attacks from the moderate wing of the Republican Party supporting the candidacy of San Francisco mayor George Christopher. To tone down the attacks, the California Republican Party Chairman created what he called the Eleventh Commandment. As Reagan described it in his autobiography, An American Life, “The personal attacks against me during the primary finally became so heavy that the state Republican chairman, Gaylord Parkinson, postulated what he called the Eleventh Commandment: Thou shalt not speak ill of any fellow Republican.”
Ironically, the conservatives are firing the verbal attacks nowadays offering a resolution to declare any legislator who votes to put taxes on the ballot a traitor. As introduced, the resolution gives no leeway for voting to put taxes on the ballot even if they are accompanied by major reforms such as a spending limit or pension reform.
There has been no talk about the 11th Commandment as the Republican Convention comes to Sacramento this weekend, and seemingly no talk of Reagan’s Big Tent idea, either.
How to Send Texas and Other States Back Home
The recent headline, "Texas isn’t rustling from State" in the Los Angeles Times implies that few California companies are picking up and moving their operations from California to Texas. That’s good news, but it is not the end of the story and it does not indicate that California can rest on its massive assets and assume that the world will beat a path to our door.
In any given year, very few corporations relocate their headquarters or major operations to another state. Corporate boards and CEO’s in California and elsewhere try every strategy possible before undertaking the costly and dramatic decision of moving to another state. Business CEOs are particularly concerned about the possible loss of existing employees and the value that these employees bring to the company.
Larry, Moe and Curly Go to College
In recent weeks, Los Angeles has been witness to an embarrassing exposé involving blown money, unrestrained ego and a wasted reputation. No, I’m not talking about Charlie Sheen but about the local community college district.
The Los Angeles Times did a terrific job of documenting the problems, revealing the incompetence and nailing the offenders of the Los Angeles Community College District’s $5.7 billion building spree. The newspaper’s six-part series, Billions to Spend, was a true public service.
A good deal’s been written on the topic since, but something is troubling me: It seems that the root of the problem is not getting acknowledged. The root of the problem is clear. No business people were on the college district’s board of trustees.
Just look at the seven trustees, whose background The Times helpfully laid out. You see a onetime Green Party activist, a retired political science professor, a documentary film maker and various union boosters. Other than Tina Park, who was described as a former New York Stock Exchange auditor, not a single trustee would seem to have the background to ask an insightful question about money.
Republicans should listen to Kevin McCarthy
Republicans meet this weekend at their State Convention in Sacramento to discuss their nominations process in the aftermath of Proposition 14. Some may think it’s an inside baseball debate. The truth is that what happens this weekend will have a tremendous impact on the Republican Party, its candidates and their ability to win future elections.
California’s highest ranking Congressional Republican Kevin McCarthy has become active in this debate. He is co-sponsoring a measure with State Senate Leader Bob Dutton and Assembly Leader Connie Conway. The plan focuses on the principle that Republican voters should decide who their nominees are – not party insiders.
McCarthy addressed California Republican Party delegates via teleconference this week contrasting the differences between the process for party endorsements that he and a vast majority of Members of Congress, State Senators and Assembly Members support and the one proposed by the current party chairman.
Protecting the Durbin Amendment is Critical to America’s Small Businesses
As the U.S. economy continued to
struggle to recover from near financial collapse, lawmakers took a much-needed
shot at financial regulatory reform last year. Thankfully, their efforts
were largely focused on helping the backbone of this economy: small
businesses. And when President Obama signed the Dodd-Frank Act into law
last July, it included important bipartisan reforms to excessive debit card
swipe fees that have plagued America’s small businesses for ages. As a
member of the Board of Directors of the Fallbrook Chamber of Commerce, I
applaud their efforts to rein in these out of control fees and protect
consumers. However, now Wall Street banks and credit card giants have launched
a massive campaign to undo Congress’ good work and protect the profits and
perks that they have long enjoyed as a result of these outrageous fees.
We cannot let them succeed.