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. […]
Does the Lone Star State have California Beat?
As Texas Governor Rick Perry stumps around California attempting to recruit businesses to the Lone Star State, he brings an underlying message: Texas is better for business than California. When we look at these two powerhouse state economies, both with significant oil and gas resources and strong economic drivers, we see some marked differences. The […]
Obsessed With Who Funds Initiatives, Less Interested in What They Would Do
You may have heard that this could be the Year of Initiative Reform. With so many groups considering reform proposals, I’ve been on the good government meeting circuit, participating on panels with would-be initiative reformers. Among my good government friends, there is one big consensus on initiative reform: we must know more, much more, about […]
A Nuts and Bolts Approach to Rebuilding the Republican Party
Jim Brulte said in his candidacy speech to the San Diego Republican Central Committee that he wanted to be “a boring state party chair focused on the nuts and bolts.” He said it wasn’t a matter of new ideas, Republican ideas are fine thank you. Brulte announced he would focus on fundraising, volunteers and candidates […]