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Back to homepageState government will have to start subsidizing Amtrak soon
Jan. 24, 2013 By Chris Reed Congress and most presidents have long been ridiculously tolerant of Amtrak and its never-ending need for federal aid — the equivalent of massive ongoing annual bailouts. But five years ago, lawmakers actually got a
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Firefighter one of nation’s safest jobs
The nation’s astoundingly well-paid public firefighters insist that they receive their high salaries and pensions (averaging around $175,000 a year in total compensation in California, with age-50 retirements and schedules that allow them to sleep on the job and work
Read MoreSacramento arena deal; still beating a dead horse
Jan. 22, 2013 By Katy Grimes “Sacramento deserves its shot to keep the Kings,” the Sacramento Bee editorial headline said this morning. “Deserves.” I really don’t like how that word is so carelessly tossed around. What Sacramento deserves is a
Read MoreCourt: Putting Prop. 30 on top of ballot illegal
Jan. 23, 2013 By Katy Grimes Anyone who still believes that there isn’t monkey business in politics needs only to look at the most recent election and a significant legal ruling handed down on Friday regarding Proposition 30. While it may
Read MoreAs I predicted, state revenue up — for now
Jan. 23, 2013 By John Seiler A week ago I wrote on CalWatchDog.com, “Two critical budget dates approaching.” I predicted that rich people’s quarterly tax payments briefly would goose tax collections for 2012 as they cashed in on investments to
Read MorePlastic bag ban rises from the dead
Jan. 23, 2013 By Katy Grimes The plastic bag horror movie that wouldn’t go away… It’s baaaacccckkkkk! Assemblyman Marc Levine, D-San Rafael, announced Monday that he is bringing back from the dead a proposal banning all plastic bags. Assembly Bill 158 would ban
Read MorePhil Mickelson: Instant hate for California’s Gerard Depardieu
Jan. 23, 2013 By Chris Reed We don’t have a clear verdict yet on the predictions that the sharp hike in income taxes paid by the rich in California, courtesy of Proposition 30, will drive them from the Golden State.
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What most politicians really are
Jan. 23, 2013 By John Seiler Most politicians think they’re hot stuff. They have aides toadying to them 24/7. This is as true of a U.S. Senator as of a city council member. But let Col. Kurtz tell a politician
Read MoreCompton Unified’s sharp attendance jump: Too good to be true?
Jan. 22 By Chris Reed The SIA Cabinet Report education news site has a report up about a stunning jump in attendance at Compton Unified schools: “The K-12 district of some 25,000 pupils reported an increase during the 2011-12 school
Read MoreWill CA gun control also chase away businesses, jobs?
Jan. 22, 2013 By John Seiler Here’s a question: Will more gun control laws in California chase away even more businesses and jobs than our high taxes already do? I think the answer would be, Yes. A lot of people
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