Blog

Powerball grabs just $1 for each kid

John Seiler February 3, 2015

Back when the California Lottery was introduced in 1985, it was advertised as a way to bring a lot more funding to schools, almost effortlessly. No tax increases or budget manipulations were needed. In that, it’s only been partly successful.

AZ not CA nabs giant new Apple center

As noted in my article today, “CA tech juggernaut jumps above rest of state,” the Silicon Valley wizards are doing well — even as manufacturing jobs have been halved since 1990. This is emphasized by a new development: Apple is

Pointless death-penalty ruling

John Seiler February 1, 2015

As I noted in my blog last week, “Rose Bird’s ghost will kill death penalty,” there aren’t going to be any more executions in California. Future Gov. Jerry Brown appointments to the California Supreme Court will prevent that. So this

Parks Forward calls for ‘transformation’ of CA system

John Seiler February 1, 2015

California parks are the wonder of the world. But citizens also have been aware of fundamental problems since a 2012 scandal found the California Department of Parks and Recreation kept a $20 million “slush fund” — while crying poor mouth

CA Dems also splitting on social-services spending

John Seiler January 31, 2015

As noted in a previous blog, “CA Dem vs CA Dem on taxes,” California’s virtual one-party state is developing fissures. One is over taxes. Another is over spending on social programs. New Senate President Pro Tem Kevin de Leon, D-Los

Jerry Brown’s $24 million campaign war chest

John Seiler January 31, 2015

Being close to a one-party state is distorting California politics in unpredictable ways. The latest: According to the Los Angeles Times, Gov. Jerry Brown still holds almost $24 million in his 2014 war chest for governor. The reason is his Republican

Brown, Newsom ace Napolitano

John Seiler January 29, 2015

This now is Gov. Jerry Brown’s ninth decade in California politics. He was born in 1938 into his father’s ambitions in state politics, culminating in Pat Brown’s governorship from 1959-1966. From his website: Jerry Brown has more experience, and success, than

Fracking with no freshwater — or water — increasingly common

Chris Reed January 29, 2015

The next great environmental fight in California is likely to be over hydraulic fracturing, the energy extraction process that uses underground water cannons to blast away rock and reach oil and natural gas reserves. Gov. Jerry Brown appears ready to

CA road use tax could morph into social engineering experiment

Chris Reed January 28, 2015

The prospect that Californians will face a new state levy is certain to cause grousing and considerable comment. But a proposal that is increasingly making waves has far-reaching implications and possibilities that have yet to be acknowledged. This is from

CA Dem vs. CA Dem on taxes

John Seiler January 27, 2015

One-party systems are inherently unstable. People inevitably choose sides. And budget realities always limit what government can do, bringing conflict. So it’s not surprising Democrats in California, who dominate the minority Republicans despite some GOP gains last November, are fighting