John Seiler, Author at CalWatchdog.com

Posts From John Seiler

John Seiler

John Seiler has been writing about California for 25 years. That includes 22 years as an editorial writer for the Orange County Register and two years for CalWatchDog.com, where he is managing editor. He attended the University of Michigan and graduated from Hillsdale College. He was a Russian linguist in U.S. Army military intelligence from 1978 to 1982. He was an editor and writer for Phillips Publishing Company from 1983 to 1986. He has written for Policy Review, Chronicles, LewRockwell.com, Flash Report and numerous other publications. His email: [email protected]

Assembly Republican leader tries to streamline the Legislature

Otto von Bismarck, the German chancellor in the 19th Century, never visited California. But he could have had the state Legislature in mind when he said, “Laws are like sausages — it is best not to see them being made.”

Electric cars most popular in CA

John Seiler March 15, 2015

They’re still only a fraction of car sales. But all those Teslas and Leafs you see on the road are not an illusion. According to ChargePoint.com, of the top four cities in the country for electric cars, three are in California: The

CA gas prices could start falling

John Seiler March 14, 2015

Some good news: Gas prices could start falling. Six weeks ago gasoline in California averaged about $2.25 a gallon, the lowest price in years. Then prices zoomed up a buck and more. Today, according to GasBuddy.com, the average price in

Job cuts precede Seattle minimum-wage hike

John Seiler March 13, 2015

In the past couple of years, many states and localities have been increasing minimum wages. It’s part of the American federalist system in which the 50 states are the “crucibles of democracy,” trying different things to see what happens. Seattle’s

Tax Foundation: CA has fourth-highest state taxes

John Seiler March 11, 2015

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

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

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,

Seeking tuition hikes, UC blows millions on computer glitches

John Seiler March 8, 2015

Spurred by University of California President Janet Napolitano, the school’s Board of Regents last November voted for 28 percent tuition hikes over five years. But today, the Sacramento Bee reported on the school’s new Working Smarter computer system, which was supposed

Green cars could get sales tax cut

John Seiler March 7, 2015

Green cars could get a sales tax cut under Assembly Bill 945, by Assemblyman Bill Ting, D-San Francisco. According to his website, the bill is: “Aimed at boosting electric vehicle sales to meet California’s climate and air quality goals through

CA jobs improve, consumer sentiment dips

John Seiler March 7, 2015

California’s jobs situation continues to improve — although there’s a dip in consumer sentiment. The California Employment Development Department today announced unemployment dropped to 6.9 percent in February, down from 7.1 percent in Dec. 2014; and down more than a point