New Advisory Ballot Measure Tool Could Backfire
In a somewhat surprising turnaround, the California Supreme Court unshackled the Legislature to place advisory measures on the statewide ballot. With only one dissent, the Court concluded that advisory measures are well within the Legislature’s authority to investigate and research public policy, and that the State Constitution does not prohibit the placement of advisory questions on […]
Downton Abbey Syndrome
On Sunday, Cheryl and I joined millions of Americans to watch the Season Premiere of Downton Abbey. As we are drawn to their lavish 1920’s lifestyle, we also retain a degree of detachment, knowing that it soon will come to an end. Unfortunately, in too many ways the England of Downton Abby is too similar […]
CA’s Pension Liability Increases by $24 Billion in 2015
Annual reports just issued by California’s two largest public pension funds indicate that the state added roughly $24 billion of unfunded public pension liability in fiscal year 2015. In December, California’s two principal pension funds, CalPERS and CalSTRS, posted online annual reports for the most recently completed fiscal year, which ended June 30, 2015. Traditionally, […]
California’s Department of Business Prevention Strikes Again: Another Minimum Wage Hike
From the State of California’s Department of Business Prevention comes another random minimum wage hike to help kill off more businesses. The final phase of the 2013 Assembly Bill 10 went into effect Jan. 1, bumping the minimum wage to $10-per-hour statewide. AB 10 is the final step of a two-stage increase. California and Massachusetts are now […]