California also gives hefty tax breaks to business
There’s much political complaining in California these days over congressional plans to overhaul the nation’s tax system in a way that would cost many Californians, particularly those in high tax brackets, more money. The federal plans are still being finalized – if they can be – and are aimed at raising enough money to pay […]
Steyer’s Impeachment Campaign More Like a Recall
Tom Steyer’s “Need to Impeach” campaign targeting President Trump is more like a recall effort familiar to Californians than an impeachment effort. The constitution clearly states “high crimes and misdemeanors” generate impeachment. Recall from office is mostly triggered over policy issues. Steyer’s campaign is also about policy. That was made clear with his new ad issued […]
How the iPhone put the spotlight on sexual harassment
Someday, when the history of the smart phone is written, historians should give the devices credit for finally ending one of western civilization’s oldest traditions, the sexual harassment and assault of young women by powerful men. Here’s how it happened. In 2006, Bill Cosby settled a lawsuit alleging that he sexually assaulted a woman. A […]
2 skyscrapers & the California imagination
This is a tale of two new skyscrapers—and of two cities that have more in common than they care to admit. The Wilshire Grand Center towers 73 stories and 1,100 feet over downtown Los Angeles, making it the tallest building west of the Mississippi River. A project of the conglomerate that owns Korean Air Lines, […]
Lawmakers to Californians: Do as we say, not as we do
With a declaration that “public servants best serve the citizenry when they can be candid and honest without reservation in conducting the people’s business,” lawmakers passed the California Whistleblower Protection Act in 1999. The idea was to protect workers who report misconduct, so that they can blow the whistle on bad actors without losing their […]
GOP Tax Plan May Make Business a Target for Tax Raisers in CA
If the tax plan passes congress, California business better have a shield because they will be the target of tax increase activists. The House vote on the GOP tax bill was step one. There is a ways to go before the tax cut plan becomes law and on the Republican side there is still last […]
Congress Is Making a Case for a National Referendum
A major tax bill is now going forward in Congress, but it is not really being studied or debated, as you might expect if the United States were the democracy it claims to be. There are no hearings on the bill. No testimony from experts. Just a lot of drafting and maneuvering behind the scenes. […]
Global Warming and Land Use
Is the earth getting hotter? To me, the scientific conjecture is probably a little bit correct on both sides. Data show the earth is warming though it’s doubtful that it’s due completely – or even partially – to human activity. It seems as if there’s a war going on between opposing scientists: an apparent majority […]
CalChamber Releases List of New Employment Laws Affecting Businesses in 2018
The California Chamber of Commerce today released the list of new employment laws scheduled to take effect in 2018 or beyond that will have an impact on businesses in California. Employers must be aware of significant changes in key areas, such as a small business parental leave law and new hiring restrictions. Other new laws make small […]