“Think Long” is Thinking Differently than others About Taxes
While the governor and others are pushing for an increase in the income tax as a solution to the state’s financial problems, Think Long Committee participants at a PPIC forum in San Francisco last week stuck to the committee’s plan for tax reform: a tax on services. Think Long chairman and benefactor, Nicolas Berggruen, committee […]
Is Something Happening Here?
There’s something happening here What it is ain’t exactly clear …. There’s battle lines being drawn, Nobody’s right if everybody’s wrong …. Lyrics from “Somethings Happening Here” by Buffalo Springfield Is there a shifting in the political landscape or is this something that happens every election cycle? Dissatisfaction with the political parties by the electorate […]
Newsom May be on to Something – if not Something New
Last week, Lt. Governor Gavin Newsom argued at a San Francisco Chronicle editorial board meeting that the position of Lt. Governor should either be dissolved or reformed. The major reform he suggested was to have the Lt. Gov run on a ticket with the governor saying that would empower the position and make it more […]
The LAO Report and the Income Tax Increase Initiatives
The Legislative Analyst’s Office economic and budget analysis issued yesterday should give pause to those hoping that California’s budget woes will be solved by raising income taxes on the rich. The report says it is “notoriously difficult” to determine income from capital gains taxes, which California’s budget relies upon so heavily. Capital gains taxes are […]
San Diego Pension Ballot Test is On
A judge has ruled that the San Diego pension reform measure can stay on the June ballot and the rest of the state and nation will be watching. Public employee pensions have become a big issue nationally. Polls have indicated voters are concerned that pensions will eat into revenue used for other government services, however, […]
Pension Politics
Republican legislators want pension reform because they believe it is a step toward overall fiscal reform. The governor wants pension reform to show government can fairly manage tax dollars so that voters will support his tax increase initiative. Voters want pension reform, 83% in a recent poll, because they are concerned pensions are eating away […]
Hertzberg on the California Forward Initiative
California Forward co-chair and former assembly speaker, Bob Hertzberg, is optimistic that the stars will line up for California Forward’s reform initiative proposed for the November ballot. Hertzberg says the money is in hand for the initiative’s qualification with a donation of over one-million dollars from billionaire Nicolas Berggreun matching money donated to the California […]
Ringside at the Berman vs. Sherman Heavyweight Bout
One could imagine a capacity crowd at the old Olympic Auditorium venue for many an LA boxing match, with the turnout at Temple Judea in Tarzana last night to see Democratic Congressmen Howard Berman and Brad Sherman slug it out in a debate. Republican Mark Reed was on the scene, too, and he got in […]
For President’s Day: Digging up Mr. Lincoln
Why the 16th President Can’t be Left in Peace Originally published at Zocalo Public Square Election night 1876 arrived full of uncertainty. The presidential race was something of a referendum on Reconstruction, and the results were so tight that the winner was unknown. It would be months before a special commission awarded 20 disputed electoral […]
Joint Venture Silicon Valley Wants Changes to Prop 13
Joint Venture Silicon Valley focused on Proposition 13 at a conference last week issuing a report that Proposition 13 should be part of a discussion about restructuring the tax system. No other part of the tax system was in the report’s crosshairs. The report authored by Stephen Levy, Director and Senior Economist of the Center […]