California is Showing the Way with Minimal Federal Assistance
We are hearing a lot about “modeling” —something leading epidemiology experts use to explain the ever-changing scenarios in the novel coronavirus’s up-and-down curves. The fact is no one really knows when we can expect a dramatic downturn in either the infections or the death rates. The dangers are escalating regardless of what the graphs are […]
The Unprecedented Employer Subsidies This Week To Avoid Layoffs: The Coronavirus Workplace Series
(This is the third in a series on the impacts of the coronavirus on employment and the workplace. The first two are here and here). The federal Stimulus, approved last Friday, includes unprecedented financial incentives for employers to retain employees or bring back employees laid off after March 1, 2020. Whether they succeed or not […]
Proposed changes to Proposition 13 could devastate family farms
As a third-generation family farmer who supports and defends farming at every turn, I’m stunned that a measure headed for the November statewide ballot could result in the further disappearance of farms and farmland. Not only will the farming community directly suffer if the ballot initiative to raise property taxes by up to $12.5 billion […]
Brown’s Decision on Funding Medical Supplies Understandable at the Time, Not Later
Should Gov. Jerry Brown be blamed for the lack of California medical supplies? Hindsight is an unsympathetic observer. It often measures past events by current circumstances. Brown’s decision of not continuing the funding of the state’s built-up medical supply reserves at the time he was facing a huge budget deficit is understandable—but an opportunity to […]
COVID-19 Changes the Initiative Landscape
The hard, can’t be waived, constitutional deadline for initiatives is 131 days for the Secretary of State to certify it. (Art. II, Sec. 8(c)) That date is June 25. However, the counties have to tabulate signatures by May 1, although that date CAN be changed as it’s not in the Constitution. The only ballot measure […]
Vote Sends Mixed Message on Growth
Measure A, the initiative that would have limited development in San Diego County, was narrowly defeated by local voters – handing homebuilders, local REALTORS® and other supporters a victory on the issue of regional growth. But, voters ultimately sent a mixed signal by also defeating Measure B, which was on the same ballot to allow […]
Pension Math
Lately we are often asked about the impact on pension costs from a stock market decline. Our answer might surprise you. On December 31, 1999, the Dow Jones Industrial Average closed at 11,497. That fiscal year, the state spent $1.3 billion on pensions. 20 years later, the DJIA closed at 28,462. That fiscal year, the […]
Pressure Mounts for Property Tax Relief
From many corners, California politicians and tax officials are under increasing pressure to extend the current April 10 deadline for paying property tax bills. The request is not unreasonable and there are many ways that government can assist homeowners who are under threat of hefty penalties or tax foreclosures. To date, our political leaders have […]
This Is Not the Time for An Austerity Budget in California
The budget should not “shelter in place.” Unfortunately, word went out from the governor’s office that the budget is likely to stand pat, without any new investments or programs. That’s an enormous mistake. And indefensible, given that it’s a mistake that California has seen made twice in recent memory. Indeed, if Gov. Newsom uses this […]