The Church of Pensions
“Government Pensions Are No Longer Sacred,” — UT San Diego Welcome to the Church of Pensions. I am your pastor, Rest. Vest Edward Wright. But you can call me Vested. First a big thank you to the police and fire league, for your generosity in building a new sanctuary. Sometimes I wonder if there’s any […]
Taxing Property “Wealth” is a Step Back
Friday on the Sacramento Bee editorial page, former editor Peter Schrag argued (once again) for changes to Proposition 13’s property tax system with the goal to raise more revenue. Schrag says changing the property tax system to reassess business property more often would improve the economy. On numerous occasions on this site, I have taken […]
Tax Reprieve Brings Holiday Cheer for Thousands of Californians
Thousands of struggling Californians who short sold their homes to avoid foreclosure can rest easier this holiday season knowing they won’t be hit with huge income tax bills. The threat was real. A California law protecting homeowners from paying taxes on forgiven debt associated with a short sale expired at the end of 2012, and […]
Employment Development Department Computers Not Yet Fixed
This is Part 3 of a series on the EDD. Part 1, an interview with Spokesman Dan Stephens, is here. Part 2, EDD computers must be fixed by Dec. 31, is here. Three months after a California Employment Development Department computer crash cut off tens of thousands of Californians from their unemployment benefits, the EDD’s system does […]
Follow the Money
Back in 2011 a California state legislator told me, off the record, that for years, a secret 7:00 a.m. meeting is held once per week in Sacramento. At this meeting are a handful of top officials representing the major public sector unions active in California. They discuss current legislation, political trends, opposition groups, emerging issues, […]