Don’t Forget “Ability to Pay” in Discussing Property Taxes
At the end of last month, the Legislative Analyst’s Office released a primer titled Understanding California’s Property Taxes with a lot of good information — but one politically tone deaf assumption. In discussing the equity of the property tax law created by Proposition 13 in 1978, the LAO postured, two owners with identical properties may […]
The Mungers had an Impact on CA Politics
Editor’s note: The Mungers are Joel Fox’s nominee for the Fox & Hounds Black Bart Award. This annual award goes to the Californian of the year in the world of politics – decided by Joel Fox, John Wildermuth & Joe Mathews. Between them, Molly Munger and her brother Charles Munger Jr. spent about $80 million […]
F&H Daily’s Fourth Annual Black Bart Award
For the past three years frequent contributors to this page Joe Mathews, John Wildermuth and I have nominated candidates for Californian of the Year in the world of politics. We name the final selection the winner of the Black Bart Award. There are no specific criteria to follow in making the selection. Each author will […]
No Sharp Elbows Thrown at LA Mayoral Debate on Public Safety
No one needed to call a cop at the Los Angeles mayoral debate on public safety last night. It was a rather peaceful affair with the candidates present generally agreeing on public safety issues and solutions. The Advancement Project, a civil rights organization that developed a roadmap for gang intervention and crime reduction in the […]
Ray Briem, Radio Talker, Helped Propel Prop 13
In his autobiography, I’m Mad as Hell, Howard Jarvis gave much credit to building momentum to pass property tax cutting Proposition 13 to late night Los Angeles radio talk show host, Ray Briem. A pioneer in talk radio, Briem passed away this week at age 82. Jarvis said radio talk shows were instrumental in educating […]
Wishing the Governor Well
Disclosure that Governor Jerry Brown is being treated for prostate cancer indicates that the governor is effectively dealing with the disease while staying full time on the job. Reports indicate that the disease was caught early and can be dealt with successfully. We wish the governor well. There is every reason to believe he can […]
Not Living Up to Expectations Can Hurt the Taxpayer … and Frustrate the Sports Fan
In public affairs and on the sporting fields you don’t always get what you expect. Miscalculations can undermine policy plans with costly results. Look at recent stories dealing with Orange County toll roads, which could hold a lesson for high-speed rail. Then there are the examples of state employee spending and even the success of […]
In Business Tax Breaks Debate, The Sky’s The Limit
Businesses eyeing California tax law will be interested in how the new legislature deals with some dueling tax proposals—exempting businesses dealing with space launch facilities on the one hand and closing so-called business loopholes on the other. Of course, hanging over the debate is the question whether Proposition 13 would be amended to allow for […]
High Speed Rail at the Movies
Yesterday, Congressman Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) testified before the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and said of California’s High Speed Rail project, “I know Hollywood happens to be in California, but this is not a Kevin Costner movie. If we built it, I don’t know if they will come.” To which Governor Jerry Brown might answer, […]
Poll: Tax that Guy Behind the Tree
The new Public Policy Institute poll indicates California voters are not eager for taxes on themselves but would consider raising taxes they perceive to be on others. While likely voters came out heavily against a sales tax on services and a vehicle license fee increase, they favored raising taxes on commercial property. One immediately thinks […]