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]

Covered CA deadline extended to April 30

Originally the deadline to sign up was Feb. 15. But Covered California, the state’s implementation of the Affordable Care Act, now is extending the deadline to April 30. According to the program’s website: SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Covered California is offering a

Silicon Valley’s vanishing middle class

John Seiler February 24, 2015

When you read the biographies of Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak and other early Silicon Valley entrepreneurs, one thing to note is their middle-class origins. Jobs’ father, Paul, was a mechanic and carpenter. Wozniak’s father was an engineer. They went to

Port strife ends — but damage was done

John Seiler February 23, 2015

As mentioned in a Feb. 14 blog, the West Coast dock strife wasn’t likely to last long because of the new competition from Gulf Coast and Mexican ports. So now a new contract has been reached with dock workers. Yet any shipping

‘Wet reckless’ perp Sen. Hueso gets tax-funded car

John Seiler February 23, 2015

Last December, state Sen. Ben Hueso pleaded guilty to driving “wet and reckless” and received probation. Now he’s being gifted a new car — paid for by taxpayers. As CalWatchdog.com reported last Aug. 25: “State Senator Ben Hueso, D-San Diego, was arrested

A helmet law for bicyclers?

John Seiler February 22, 2015

No question wearing a helmet makes bicycle riding safer, much as for motorcycles. But how much of a Nanny State do Californians want? Motorcycles go much faster, usually are in traffic and are driven by licensed adults. Bicycles are driven

CA manufacturing rises — a little

John Seiler February 21, 2015

California’s hard-hit manufacturing sector is coming back, although not as much as the rest of the country. The Great Recession sliced off 18.5 percent of state manufacturing jobs. After that, from 2011 to 2014, “manufacturing employment has hovered around 12.5 million,”

LAO report could spur school facilities reform

John Seiler February 20, 2015

A new report by California Legislative Analyst Mac Taylor puts school facilities funding at the head of the class. Among other points, “The 2015-16 Budget: Rethinking How the State Funds School Facilities” pushes the idea that facilities funding should more closely follow

Judge: Donor identities can be kept secret — for now

John Seiler February 19, 2015

First Amendment advocates are cheering a ruling by U.S. District Judge Manuel Real that foundation donor lists can be kept secret — at least until the matter winds its way through the court system. The matter concerns the billionaire Koch bothers’ Americans for

Rice, Harris lead Field Poll to replace Boxer

John Seiler February 18, 2015

It’s incredibly early, but a new Field Poll puts — surprise — Condoleezza Rice at the top of a list of candidates to replace retiring U.S. Sen. Barbara Boxer, a Democrat. Rice is a Republican and former secretary of state

Gas tax could be cut

John Seiler February 17, 2015

Golden State drivers might soon enjoy a little tax relief at the pump. The Board of Equalizati0n announced: Sacramento – The California State Board of Equalization (BOE) will consider lowering the excise tax rate for gasoline by $0.075 for Fiscal