Will the Supreme Court Deliver Relief for Central Valley Farmers and Ranchers?
In California, water issues are of top concern. So, all eyes should be on Washington now as the U.S. Supreme Court is poised to potentially take-up two major cases that may affect water policies in the Central Valley for years to come. The cases, Stewart Jasper Orchards v. Jewell and State Water Contractors v. Jewell, […]
Time for a Real Debate on the Cost of Climate Programs
Finally, it’s here. A spirited, inclusive, and extremely critical debate over the true costs of California’s climate programs to our economy, small businesses, and working families. On the heels of an abysmal voter turnout in this month’s election, the emergence of a growing chorus of diverse voices on a vital public policy issue should be […]
On November 29th, Remember to Shop Small – You’ll Have a Big Impact!
It’s already happening. Almost every other TV and radio ad these days showcases Black Friday deals that await shoppers the day after we gorge ourselves with turkey and pumpkin pie. Once again, we’ll find some of our friends and neighbors camping overnight or rising before dawn to head to the nearest shopping mall or big […]
CARB Members Do the Right Thing—Listen to the People about the Hidden Gas Tax
Last week, I was proud to deliver 115,000 signed petitions on behalf of my fellow Californians on the controversial “fuels under the cap” regulation at the California Air Resources Board’s (CARB) Diamond Bar board meeting. I was joined by dozens of community and educational leaders, elected officials, business organizations and concerned drivers as we gathered […]
Income Equality and the Rising Cost of Gasoline
Governor Brown knows that income inequality is a critical issue facing our state and the nation that urgently needs to be addressed. Thoughtful and experienced as he is, Governor Brown is well aware that such inequity, paired with regressive tax policies, can exact tremendous damage on a struggling economy – particularly on low-income populations. As […]
Main Street Menace of the Week: Assembly Bill 1792 (Gomez)
While the legislature is in session, the National Federation of Independent Business/California will be profiling anti-small business bills and initiatives and the adverse effect they would have on California’s job creators. This is the fourth column of the 2014 series. You would think that after all the years I have been in Sacramento, nothing would […]
NFIB/CA Releases Study Showing Minimum Wage Increase Would Cost California More Than 300,000 Jobs
Back in February, I wrote a column for Fox and Hounds declaring Senate Bill 935 a ‘Main Street Menace’. We were hoping that the ‘heads up’ to those in the California State Legislature would help to prevent the bill’s passage. Unfortunately, in late May, the bill passed on a party line vote of 21-12. It […]
Playing Politics with Science and Safety
Well, that didn’t take long. Only three months after the ink was dry on a new program that directs state scientists to evaluate chemicals used in consumer products, bureaucrats and some politicians like San Francisco Senator Mark Leno have decided to change the rules midstream. Once again, politics trumps policy and it’s precisely the result […]
Main Street Menace of the Week: Senate Bill 1021 (Wolk)
While the legislature is in session, the National Federation of Independent Business/California will be profiling anti-small business bills and initiatives and the adverse effect they would have on California’s job creators. This is the third column of the 2014 series. This week, small business owners will arrive in Sacramento as part of NFIB/California’s 6th Annual […]
Main Street Menace of the Week: Assembly Bill 1522 (Gonzalez)
While the legislature is in session, the National Federation of Independent Business/California will be profiling anti-small business bills and initiatives and the adverse effect they would have on California’s job creators. This is the second column of the 2014 series. Sometimes the proposals that the legislature comes up with are enough to make small employers […]