Dems Aplenty Running for Gov. What about the Reps?
So many Democrats running for governor, you’ll soon near a scorecard to keep them straight. Is there room for a Republican in the governor’s race in Deep Blue California? This weekend’s state Democratic convention saw what might be called a thickening of the field for governor with speculation that rich environmentalist Tom Steyer might jump […]
After Jerry Brown: Disaster?
In politics, it’s better to be lucky than good. That sure fits Jerry Brown. Taking office in 1975, he proclaimed an “era of limits,” cutting investments in roads, dams and other infrastructure. Californians weren’t listening, as the population since then doubled, to 40 million. Yet despite the bumpy roads and droughts (from lack of reservoirs), […]
Single Payer Health Cost Pegged at $400 Billion
(Editor’s note: The following statement was issued by Rob Lapsley, president of the California Business Roundtable, regarding the report that SB 562 (Lara / Atkins), the single-payer healthcare bill, will cost $400 billion per year to implement.) Let’s look at the facts: California’s 2017-18 budget is estimated at $180 billion. We are the highest tax […]
Gov. Brown: Get Out of California Unless You Can Afford It
California’s epic drought is officially over. As drought-related mandatory water conservation orders end, ordinary citizens’ water, sewer, utility rates and other water-related costs continue to rise. East Bay Municipal Utilities District (EBMUD) recently announced two water rate hikes, one of 9.5 percent in July and another next year of 9 percent. Marin Municipal Water District […]
California Will Play a Prominent Role In Washington Developments
As President Trump continues his first extensive trip to foreign countries, the news he has been making non-stop back home is not for the moment taking up the entire front page. Still, the headlines have to be unsettling. The center still holds if only barely, and it is starting to implode. If impeachment proceedings become ever […]
CA’s twisted budget theology
We have reached the high holy days of California’s budget season, as our governor and legislative leaders decide which programs will gain new life, and which will be sacrificed. And so our state government’s ministers have begun their ritual sermons on the dangers of overspending. They are preaching nonsense. California’s real problem is underspending. Go […]