Dave Roberts, Author at CalWatchdog.com

Posts From Dave Roberts

Dave Roberts

Road repair bill would raise transportation taxes, fees

California motorists will each be paying an extra $900 over the next five years for road maintenance if Senate Bill 16 is approved by the Legislature and signed by Gov. Jerry Brown. But that $18.4 billion increase in transportation taxes

BOE: New services tax could boost CA revenue by $122 billion

Dave Roberts May 9, 2015

Placing a tax on business services in California has the potential to raise an additional $122.6 billion annually for state and local governments, according to a recent Board of Equalization study. A services tax could become a reality if Senate

‘Job killer’ employee schedule bill passes Assembly committee

Dave Roberts May 4, 2015

A bill that punishes businesses for changing employees’ work schedules recently passed the Assembly Labor and Employment Committee, despite the California Chamber of Commerce warning that it’s a “job killer.” Assembly Bill 357 affects California food and retail businesses with

Legislator warns against lawsuit abuse

Dave Roberts April 29, 2015

When California’s Republican legislators warn that high taxes, onerous regulations and frivolous lawsuits are driving businesses out of California, they are not only talking about corporations like Toyota, which is relocating from Torrance to Plano, Texas. They are also concerned

State senate committee approves minimum wage hike

Dave Roberts April 21, 2015

California’s minimum wage workers will receive a 62.5 percent raise over three years if Senate Bill 3 is approved by the Legislature and signed by Gov. Jerry Brown. The Senate Labor and Industrial Relations Committee recently passed the bill on

Senate committee OKs increased energy regulation

Dave Roberts April 14, 2015

A bill that ratchets up energy restrictions in California passed a Senate policy committee last week, despite concerns from business representatives and Republican legislators that it will drive up energy costs, cost jobs and place too much power in the

Unions, environmentalists clash over wind farm

Dave Roberts April 10, 2015

Usually reliable allies for three liberal causes – renewable energy, environmental protection and labor unions – clashed recently over whether to grant a three-year extension for a wind farm in the Altamont Pass on the eastern fringe of the Bay

Committee passes double holiday pay bill

Dave Roberts March 30, 2015

A bill requiring California businesses to provide double pay for employees working on Thanksgiving and Christmas recently passed the Assembly Labor and Employment Committee, despite concerns that it will further hurt the state’s business climate and may be unconstitutional. Assemblywoman

LAO questions local school funding accountability

Dave Roberts March 23, 2015

When Gov. Jerry Brown signed legislation in July 2013 that increased funding for the state’s neediest students and restored local control over how that money is spent, he hailed it as “historic.” Brown also called it “truly revolutionary. We are

Alternative fuel companies cheer, oil industry questions CA carbon regulations

Dave Roberts March 12, 2015

The California Air Resources Board’s plan to renew the Low Carbon Fuel Standard elicited cheers at a recent Board meeting from its main beneficiary: alternative fuel companies. More lukewarm was the petroleum industry, which could lose billions of dollars as it transitions