March 2015 | Page 9 of 12 | CalWatchdog.com

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Tax Foundation: CA has fourth-highest state taxes

The newest figures just released by the Tax Foundation show California continues to be one of the highest-taxes states in the country. According to “Facts & Figures 2015: How Does Your State Compare?” the Golden State now ranks fourth-highest for

UC tuition battle sparks student protests

James Poulos March 11, 2015

The battle over University of California tuition hikes has been raised to a new level — with shades of 1960s student protests. Gov. Jerry Brown and state legislators have rejected the tuition hikes advanced by UC President Janet Napolitano. In response she

Covered CA complicates tax preparation

James Poulos March 10, 2015

Many Californians will be headed into tax season with their paperwork in disarray thanks to their state health care exchange, Covered California. The program is the state’s implementation of the Affordable Care Act, or Obamacare. In a repeat of follies

New option could cut state retiree medical costs

John Seiler March 10, 2015

Fairly well known is California’s state and local pension problem, as much as $500 billion according to a 2011 Stanford University study. Less well known is the coming acute shortage in medical care for such retirees. Last December, Controller John

Supreme Court case could put Congressional redistricting back in hands of Legislatures

James Poulos March 10, 2015

Thanks to the Arizona legislature, control of redistricting for U.S. congressional districts in California soon could pass back to Sacramento. A lawsuit brought by lawmakers in Phoenix, now before the U.S. Supreme Court, argues that only state legislatures have the right to

Is San Diego safest big city? Or having a police crisis?

Chris Reed March 9, 2015

This good news got prominent play in California’s second-largest city this weekend: For the fourth year running, San Diego had the lowest murder rate among the country’s ten largest cities. The department investigated 32 homicides, down from 39, giving San

Despite topping polls, Condoleezza Rice not running for Senate

James Poulos March 9, 2015

Political pundits and strategists finally are taking seriously that, despite topping polls, Condoleezza Rice is not running for the U.S. Senate. The decision by the former U.S. secretary of state puts California Republicans back on their heels. For the state GOP, the hunt

CARTOON: CalFire binge drinking

CalWatchdog Staff March 9, 2015

Suh avoids high-tax CA, signs with Miami

John Seiler March 9, 2015

As the most talented NFL free agent this spring, former Detroit Lion Ndamukong Suh had his pick of teams. In trouble often for his on-field antics, such as stepping on Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rogers’ ankle in the playoffs,

Lawmakers seek soda warning labels

John March 9, 2015

A group of state lawmakers wants to single out “The Coke Side of Life” for a mandatory warning label that could send the Pepsi Generation to unhealthy beverages. State Senator Bill Monning, D-Carmel, and seven of his Democratic colleagues have proposed the Sugar-Sweetened