Business Rallying to Proposition 51
California’s housing crisis is a major reason members of the business community are supporting the state school construction bond, Proposition 51. Passing a statewide bond puts pressure on the General Fund because state general obligation bonds have first call on state funds, however dealing with housing costs is an issue that troubles advocates and analysts […]
De León as EPA Administrator?
The high likelihood of another Clinton presidency could scramble California politics. A new administration will need to be looking for new talent—Obama folks are tired, and many old Clinton hands are too old or retired for service. That ought to bring attention to many figures in California, where two generations of politicians – one group […]
Will Jerry Brown Remember the 1970s?
When Jerry Brown became governor in 1974, California was in a recession. But over the next five years, the state’s recovery produced 2.1 million jobs, and Brown’s fiscal restraint created a $4 billion reserve in a general fund of $12 billion. Unfortunately, the fiscal restraint was short-lived. Policymakers reverted to old habits, increasing spending while […]
Tax Breaks For Olympic Medalists? No Thanks!
Last week Democrats in Sacramento killed a bill by conservative Assemblyman Brian Jones (R-Santee) that would have exempted Olympic medal winners from paying state taxes on their winnings. The U.S. Olympic Committee gives out bonuses to medal winners — $25,000 for gold medals, $15,000 for silver and $10,000 for bronze. Your first reaction might be frustration that […]