The Economic and Criminal Consequences of Raising the Tobacco Tax
The legislature seems intent on fast tracking a cigarette tax increase, passing it through two senate committees on the same day last week despite economic and criminal consequences that could arise if the tax becomes law. Testifying against SB 768 authored by Senator Kevin De Leon, California Retailers Association president Bill Dombrowski warned passing the […]
But Can Our Governor Handle a Mule?
Last week, I watched a Zócalo/KCRW debate between Los Angeles mayoral candidates Eric Garcetti and Wendy Greuel, and a clear winner emerged: Warren Olney, the moderator. I’m not saying that Olney’s fine grilling made the experience worthwhile, though, because nothing could. The California political debate is dead. When was the last time you heard one […]
Look Past ‘Union’ Label
When the Business Journal endorsed Eric Garcetti for Los Angeles mayor in last week’s issue, it believed that the two candidates are much alike, except for the “unsettling” amount of financial support from labor unions that Wendy Greuel has received during the campaign. “It creates the expectation that Greuel would not – could not – […]
Investigate High Speed Rail
First exposed by the LA Times, the recent revelation, that the rules for awarding the first construction bid contract for the California High Speed Rail project were changed in the middle of the process, needs a full blown investigation. The Authority CEO, Jeff Morales seems to be immersed in a world of his own imagination. […]
Juror Appreciation Week: May 13-17
In 1998, the California Legislature designated the second full week in May each year to honor the important contributions of citizens who serve on juries, making citizens’ right to trial by jury possible. This year marks the 16th Anniversary of Juror Appreciation Week. For those of you who have served on a jury, CALA would like […]