Resist the “Pothole Tax”
Last week, Will Kempton, Executive Director of Transportation California and former Director of Caltrans published a response to Jon Coupal, President of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association, in a Fox & Hounds piece stating that, “…in spite of all the recent audits and criticism, the organization [Caltrans] employs competent people who want to serve the public well.” In […]
Remembering Kirk West
Kirk West was not only a strong, effective and conscience leader for the business community but a gentleman in the true sense of the word and someone I enjoyed working with when he ran the California Chamber of Commerce for over a decade. This morning the Chamber announced Kirk West’s passing at age 79. Kirk […]
Prop. 13 is California Taxpayers Only “Saving Grace”
Proposition 13 is certain to continue to be a hot topic in 2016 and beyond as “reformers” continue to work on mobilizing a statewide effort to enact a “split-roll” that raises billions of dollars in increased property taxes from California businesses. I have worked in and around Prop. 13 in one form or another for […]
Support the Gov.’s By-Right Affordable Housing Plan
California is in the midst of a housing crisis that is hindering job creation and economic growth. This crisis is affecting all levels of housing from homeless, to affordable, to market rate. Therefore, the Los Angeles County Business Federation (BizFed) strongly supports Governor Jerry Brown’s By-Right Affordable Housing policy included in the proposed 2016 state […]
Water Problem? Yes, But Trump Got It Wrong
Let’s get it straight. Donald Trump was quoting or paraphrasing some farmers when he said in his Fresno speech that “There is no drought.” A careful listening to the video and reading of his text makes clear that attributing that line to him was incorrect. However, there is no doubt that he enthusiastically accepted the […]
Despite Old Comments, John Wayne Deserves Local Recognition
Now more than ever, politics has become a contact sport and has affected every aspect of our lives, including how we see our celebrities, like the stars of the silver screen. Great deeds and careers, especially of those who are no longer with us to defend themselves, are often tarnished by old statements made somewhere […]