Economic Theory Meets Political Reality in Think Long Proposal
The Think Long Committee proposal to change the governance structure in California is centered on a change in the tax system. The committee proposes lowering and flattening the income tax, lowering the sales tax, and creating a new tax on services. In theory, the proposition is sound, although the tax increase that accompanies the restructuring […]
ReFund Plan Should be ReJected
At the UC Regents meetings scattered around the state at four UC campuses, some students demanded that Regents sign a ReFund Higher Education pledge. Promoting the pledge are public employee unions using the student unrest to push their agenda. Point 5 on The ReFund California Pledge reads: “Reversing tuition increases, layoffs, and cuts to public […]
Elite Council Would Have King-Like Powers
This article first appeared in the Sacramento Bee When I read about the Think Long Committee’s proposal for a “Civic Council for Government Accountability,” the first image that jumped into my mind was the Ruling Council in the Christopher Reeves’ “Superman” movie, sitting as elders while their world collapsed around them. That image was quickly […]
How Will Business React in New Workers Comp Battle?
The workers comp issue is likely to heat up in the legislature — again. The big question this time: How many businesses will fight and how many will run right out of the state? A week ago, Sacramento Bee columnist, Dan Walters, wrote about the perennial struggle over workers compensation. Labor unions, employers, insurers, attorneys […]
Clashing Tax Proposals
California’s taxpayers look on in bewilderment as more and more tax increase proposals are created for next year’s ballot. A whole lot of organizations and people think they have the solution to California’s problems with an increase in taxes. And they all want to bring them to the ballot. Over the weekend, the Sacramento Bee […]
Supreme Court’s Decision a Victory for the People’s Initiative
Many news reports on the California Supreme Court’s decision to allow Proposition 8 initiative proponents to defend their initiative before the bench called the decision ‘a set back for gay rights.’ More accurately the decision was not for or against gay rights, it was a victory for the people’s right of initiative. It makes both […]
Phantom $4-Billion Haunts the Budget
The $4-billion dollars that was added to the budget last June, based solely on optimism that economic conditions would improve, and brought the budget into balance on paper (and, by the way, got the legislators paid) never showed up. The Legislative Analyst’s Office issued a report yesterday that says the state is $3.7 billion short […]
Small Business Gears Up to Participate in Legislative Races
Small business associations in California are discussing coming together to influence the coming legislative elections. Marty Keller, former Small Business Advocate for the state of California, has formed the Small Business Revolution, intended to be a PAC supporting candidates who will form a business friendly majority in the state legislature. At a meeting held in […]
Another Munger … Another Initiative
Molly Munger, sister of Charles Munger the Stanford physicist who financed the successful congressional redistricting initiative Proposition 20, is set to fund an initiative to raise money for schools through an income tax increase. The brother and sister are the children of Charles Munger Sr. of the Munger, Tolles & Olson law firm in Los […]
Salute our Veterans and Military on Veteran’s Day
Today is Veteran’s Day, an opportunity for us to pause and salute those who stand up to protect our country. Two years ago, I wrote a piece on Fox and Hounds on Veteran’s Day titled, Politics as Usual—A Veteran’s Day Tribute. It told the story of my father, Harry Fox, a decorated World War II […]