No gas taxation without better representation

Notice the increase in gas prices recently? Normally, gas prices decrease a bit this time of year, due to the switch to the less expensive “winter blend.” The increase is an unwelcome surprise for many Californians, particularly those least able to afford unexpected increases to their monthly budget. You might be asking yourself, “what changed?” […]

Republicans were made to oppose taxes

If you want to understand Assembly Bill 398 (Garcia), the so-called “cap and trade” bill, just follow the money.  As with most “juice” bills in the California Legislature, the negotiations go on behind closed doors where the special interests decide who will pocket what piece of the new revenue stream. Players include large corporations, unions, […]

California’s High Housing Costs: Crippling Economic Productivity, Increasing Poverty

Living in California is a blessing and a curse these days. California’s most obvious best qualities are location, landscape and lifestyle. The Golden State has beautiful and diverse weather, limitless outdoor recreation, along with mountain ranges, valleys and coastline boasting some of the most breath-taking landscapes in the world. However, this beauty does not make […]

Health Care for All? More Like How to Destroy California

The staggering price tag for the Democrats’ plan to provide “health care for all” would cost California $400 billion a year to create a state-funded universal health care system — more than double the $180 billion annual state budget. California residents will be required to pay significantly increased taxes — as much as 50 percent […]

The CalTrans Record of Shame

Why is Jerry Brown insisting that legislators quickly rubber stamp his $52 Billion gas tax increase? The reason is simple.  He knows that if legislators go back to their districts over the upcoming Spring break recess, they will get an earful from outraged constituents. Voting for a regressive, 43% gas tax increase in a state […]

Ending the Corrupting Influence of Special Interest Money

In a recent survey, voters ranked “Removing the corrupting influence of special interest money in California politics” as more important than climate change, pension reform, immigration, or jobs and the economy. While jobs, the economy, climate change, and immigration were considered important by California voters, each of those issues paled in comparison to voter concern […]

The Common Denominator

Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders won their respective primaries in New Hampshire.   Not a surprise. What was a bit of a surprise was the common theme in their election night speeches.  They both paid quite a bit of attention to a burning issue that has appeared to ignite the electorate this election season; the purchase […]

Legislators Wearing Badges with Donors’ Names a Serious Proposal

Requiring Legislators to wear sponsors’ names is a first step in addressing a serious problem. Last week, Rescue California Foundation filed an initiative that might generate some smiles but is an entirely serious step in changing the structure of a broken and corrupt legislature election system. Our initiative, called the Name All Sponsors California Accountability […]

California’s Political Earthquake On Its Way

California is facing an uncertain future – and it’s not an earthquake, despite a current blockbuster movie. There’s a water crisis, an education system declared woeful by a state judge and soaring costs on all levels – water, utilities, energy, housing and taxes. These could all be eclipsed by the huge elephant in the room […]

Still Pursuing the Neighborhood Legislature

Rescue California Foundation, a 501c(4) foundation dedicated to better state government, filed with the California Attorney General’s office our request for title and summary of the Neighborhood Legislature Reform Act, to be placed on the ballot in 2016. It’s the third time we’ve filed, because of the exigencies of the state elections system, but the […]