Bill to Examine Tax Incentives OK—as Far as it Goes
In principle, there is nothing wrong with Senator Hannah Beth Jackson’s idea (SB 468) to examine tax incentive programs often referred to as tax expenditures. These are programs set up as incentives often offered to businesses to achieve desirable economic goals. Jackson says failed tax expenditures are costing the state needed revenue. I’m all for […]
How Dare Gavin Play National Politics?
How dare Gov. Newsom play in national politics? That has become a strong media criticism of the new governor—so strong it may be hardening into conventional wisdom. Newsom is doing all sorts of things that journalists think he shouldn’t be doing. Like traveling out of state, to El Salvador, presumably the sort of place one […]
After 40 years, let’s finally reform Proposition 13
I was working as a staffer in the Legislature when Proposition 13 passed 40 years ago. It brought about a seismic shift in governance in California. Suddenly, local government, schools and the state had to contend with budget cutbacks. Anti-tax ideology became part of California’s Constitution with new two-thirds vote requirements for tax increases. And […]
Politics won over good policy, and now Californians face even more taxes
Editor’s note: This commentary is a response to “After 40 years, let’s finally reform Proposition 13.” Californians complain their state is unaffordable. The cost of living is at a record high, housing prices are astronomical, and taxes continue to rise. A recent Public Policy Institute of California survey found that 63% of likely voters believe […]