The Housing Bond Would Be Just a Drop in the Bucket
Why bother with a $3 billion housing bond? The deal on housing legislation is shaping up as emblematic of this Second Brown Era in California politics; a big political push for a policy that won’t make much difference at all. The LA Times has explained in some detail why the legislative pieces won’t make much […]
Homebuilders (Still) in Good Hands
The selection a few years back of former GOP leader David Cogdill to lead California homebuilders (CBIA) through difficult times was an excellent choice. CBIA had come to symbolize an industry in transition – flummoxed by the duality of a deep recession and smaller, regional builders giving way to increasingly dominant national companies. Both were […]
A Scary Halloween Recall?
With enough signatures filed to force a recall election for Sen. Josh Newman the governor must call for the election from 60 to 80 days from when the recall is certified by the Secretary of State. Here’s a prediction that the recall will fall on Halloween, Tuesday October 31. Democrats in the legislature hoped to […]
Circular Firing Squads — Fire, Aim, Ready
They have long been advocates of a strong military build-up, but today, Republicans in Washington and Sacramento appear to be embracing circular firing squads. Instead of guns, this firing squad is using finger pointing and tweets aimed at erstwhile allies. President Trump’s attacks on fellow Republicans, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, Senator John McCain and […]
Home Stretch: Small businesses brace for End of Session Legislative Battles
As the California legislature reconvenes this week for the remainder of the 2017 half of the 2017-18 two-year session, small business owners remain concerned that Sacramento will pass additional taxes, fees and regulations which impact their business and employees. This year alone, small businesses and working families have been hit with billions in new taxes, […]
Illuminating and Eliminating the Hidden Drivers of Rising Healthcare Costs
The concerns of California families over the rising costs of healthcare have precipitated an important statewide conversation over how each part of the healthcare system – including physicians, health insurers, and drug manufacturers – can do their part to rein in costs. As a practicing OB/GYN and the President of the California Medical Association—a group […]
San Diego Mayor Scores Points at California Commonwealth Club
What is a “New California Republican? One rising political star increasingly mentioned as gubernatorial material thinks he knows and believes that prospects for GOP success at the polls will improve if others embrace his credos. In a generally well-received address before the Commonwealth Club of California in San Francisco this past week, San Diego Mayor, […]
Remembering Ross Johnson
(Photo: Susie Swatt with Ross Johnson) From the day he first was elected to the Assembly, Ross Johnson served with a singular purpose – improve the lives of Californians. It started with trying to provide relief to beleaguered homeowners who simply couldn’t afford the property taxes required to keep them in their homes. It ended […]
Democrats Cling to a Supermajority They Don’t Really Use
It’s maddening to watch Democrats play games to preserve a supermajority they don’t even use. The party has been rightfully criticized for using a budget-related to change the rules to advantage State Senator Josh Newman as he faces a recall in his Orange County District. Now they’ve pushed the Fair Political Practices Commission (including a […]