How are Japan’s tax increases working?

Given the desire for even more tax increases for American and California, how are the recent  tax increases working in Japan? TOKYO (AP) — Japan’s economy shrank more sharply in the second quarter than first estimated and the latest indicators suggest

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CA, Tesla and the slippery slope to crony capitalism

The decision of Tesla to locate its “gigafactory” in the Reno area instead of California offers critics of the state’s business climate a chance to once again knock Gov. Jerry Brown and other state leaders for failing to care about

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Debra Bowen revelations appear to explain her failure on job

Saturday’s Los Angeles Times’ bombshell about Secretary of State Debra Bowen’s struggles with depression struck a sad chord with many people who have struggled with mental illness or had a family member with such problems. Two months before Californians go

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In debate gaffe, Jerry Brown channels Gerald Ford

The Sacramento press corps has been acting bored with the governor’s race ever since the spectacle of Tim Donnelly as the GOP nominee faded away. So now we have a debate in which Jerry Brown makes a debate gaffe as

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In debate, Brown mocks Mississippi and Arkansas (i.e., the Clintons)

In Thursday night’s debate between Gov. Jerry Brown and Neel Kashkari, the candidates sounded pretty scripted until Brown was asked about California’s ability to deal with its huge pension shortfalls. Brown depicted that as an absurd question for a wealthy

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Debate: Kashkari closing channels Reagan in 1980

Questioner asks about high cost of UC, CSU being barrier to poor students. Kashkari sympathizes and cites student loan burders. Brown notes, correctly, how many CSU and UC students pay no tuition because of waivers and says CA students have

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Debate: Kashkari mocks focus on plastic bags, football practice limits

Questioner asks Kashkari if he would oppose CA’s continued implementation of Obamacare if elected. He says he lost his own policy cuz of ACA and notes how the law creates incentive for employers to stop offering full-time jobs. Brown links

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Debate: Brown offers up whopper, claims he’s stopped pension spiking

Questioner asks how state can pay for bullet train given House opposition to any further federal funding. Brown ducks question with broad defense of project. “This train makes a lot of sense,” it’s not “crazy,” as Kashkari says. Kashkari: “He’s

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Debate: Brown defends realignment as ‘success’

Questioner asks Kashkari about his key role in the Troubled Asset Relief Program under Presidents Bush and Obama. He strongly defends his record, says TARP made all money back, and notes Brown praised TARP’s effects. Brown: “When you hand out

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Debate: Kashkari says Brown should be ashamed of Vergara appeal

In response to a question about AB 32 driving up gasoline prices next year, Brown ducks and talks broadly about CA’s role as a trendsetter and the need to fight climate change. Moderator interrupts and tries to get him to

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