Steve Glazer’s Moment – and California’s
Whether by choice or not, Steve Glazer, candidate for the Senate District 7 seat in tomorrow’s special election, is a symbol of change. His election could alter the face of California politics from the expected — Democratic candidates following in lock step with the party’s strongest influencers and financial backers — to electing more independent […]
Hiltzik Wrong to Criticize Aircraft Tax Reform Measure
In early May, Los Angeles Times columnist Michael Hiltzik unfairly criticized a State Board of Equalization-supported proposal to simplify property tax assessment of airline property in California. As elected Board members and former legislators, we write to set the record straight. Senate Bill 661, authored by Senator Jerry Hill (D-San Mateo), would centralize property tax […]
It’s A Problem That the Tax Bonanza Is a Problem
We all know the harm California’s broken budget system can do when the economy is struggling. But now we’re seeing the harm it can do when times are better. You can see the dynamic in the way Sacramento has defined what should be good news – billions in unanticipated revenues above projections – as a […]
Pension Reformers are not “The Enemy” of Public Safety
“You will find that powerful financial and investment institutions are the ones promoting the attacks on your pensions. Firms like Berkshire-Hathaway and the Koch brothers are backing political candidates and causes all over the country in the hopes of making this issue relevant and in the mainstream media. Why? Because if they can crack your […]
CA Democratic Convention: Democrats Divided on Economic Issues, Trade Pact
Sen. Elizabeth Warren staked her claim as the progressive choice for president Saturday, with a rousing speech to delegates at the California Democratic Party’s state convention. The first-term Democratic Senator from Massachusetts earned a rousing applause and standing ovation from convention delegates as she blamed the country’s income inequality and decline of the middle class on Ronald […]