Was it Confidence or Money that Prompted Brown to Stop Signature Drive?
Governor Jerry Brown’s campaign announced last week that he was confident of the signature gathering effort on the tax initiative created by a compromise with the California Federation of Teachers and he stopped collecting signatures on his original tax initiative. At least that’s the official word. Could there be something else at work? With the […]
Presents for the Governor’s Birthday
Governor Jerry Brown celebrates his 74th birthday tomorrow and like all birthday celebrants he is probably thinking about presents. On the policy front, I suspect there are two presents he would like to have but both would be delayed until November. There is no question the governor wants to see his tax measure passed. He […]
Dr. Laffer’s Rx for California’s Economy
Economist Arthur Laffer thinks the way to fix California’s broken economy is to rip out the current tax structure and replace it with a new model for the 21st century. At the request of the Pacific Research Institute, Laffer has written up his proposed solutions in a book, Eureka! How to Fix California. Laffer’s remedy […]
Dianne Feinstein’s Common Sense on Lawsuit Abuse
U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein put California’s legislature on notice that if it did nothing to curb abusive lawsuits revolving around the Americans for Disability Act she would sponsor federal legislation. Feinstein put a finger on a problem that demoralizes small businesses. According to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, small businesses (defined as businesses with $10 […]
What is a “Fair Share” of Taxes?
Governor Jerry Brown earnestly wishes leaders of the business community to join a broad based coalition to support his proposed tax increase initiative. However, he undercuts his appeal for business support by implying in his measure that well-off business leaders are shirking their responsibilities by not currently paying their “fair share” of taxes. Section 2(d) […]
Brown’s Defense of the Millionaire Tax Label Ignores — Taxes
Governor Jerry Brown’s defense of labeling his tax initiative a millionaire’s tax on the initiative’s website summarizes California’s fiscal problems. It’s obvious why the governor calls his tax plan a millionaire’s tax when it actually starts taxing income at the $250,000 level, and, oh by the way, includes a quarter-cent sales tax. The reason is […]
Former Speaker Ignores his own Intent on CARB Fees
The reasoning and intent behind a law is of upmost importance especially when courts attempt to interpret legislative actions. Yet, the Air Resources Board and even the bill’s author, Former Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez, are ignoring the clear intent of “fee” revenue raised under the provisions of AB 32, the 2006 bill to reduce greenhouse […]
Poll: Governor’s Tax Proposal Could be Undercut by the Economy and Business’ Response
The USC Dornsife/Los Angeles Times poll released over the weekend indicated support for the Governor Jerry Brown’s tax increase proposal, but voters’ views on the California economy could reverse those numbers. The poll showed the compromise measure Brown created with the California Federation of Teachers and the Courage Campaign had 64% approval when “somewhat supportive” […]
A Special Election Next Year if….
I picked up a rumor over a month ago that I originally didn’t put much faith in that if tax measures were defeated in November the governor may order a special election in 2013 to quickly put another tax measure before voters. I’m reconsidering and now think its possible. The idea that such a move […]
Should the SF 49ers QB be a Democrat?
On MSNBC, Nation sports editor Dave Zirin attacked the trade of quarterback Tim Tebow from the Denver Broncos to the New York Jets this week saying Tebow doesn’t belong in New York because of the way he thinks. Zirin said, “But with Tim Tebow you’re talking about somebody who has set of ideas, lets just […]