Budget and Finance

Split-roll tax bill strikes at Prop. 13

Almost every year in the California Legislature Proposition 13 becomes a target for those seeking higher taxes. The 1978 tax-limitation measure, among other things, requires a two-thirds vote for local tax increases. As budget maneuvers heat up in the

Video: Would a flat tax make CA’s comeback last?

CalWatchdog Staff April 17, 2014

CalWatchdog.com editor-in-chief Brian Calle discusses the California economic comeback with writer Stephen Moore.

Video: An unsustainable recovery in California

CalWatchdog Staff April 17, 2014

Former California State Finance Director Tom Campbell gives his take on California’s economic outlook.

Analysis: Kashkari unveils economic plan

John Seiler March 25, 2014

Neel Kashkari is running for governor under the slogan, “Jobs. Education. That’s it.” The Republican businessman today released his detailed, 26-page plan for the first part of that promise: Jobs. The title is, “Neel Kashkari’s Jobs Plan: Rebuilding the Middle

San Jose Mayor Reed folds on pension initiative

James Poulos March 19, 2014

In a disappointing indicator of the challenges facing public pension reform, outgoing San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed has shelved his statewide ballot initiative designed to address the problem. The mayor blames a time crunch and unappealing language used in Attorney

Cal Lutheran: State growth anemic next 2 years

John Seiler March 15, 2014

California’s economic recovery remains anemic and a two-year projection put forth in the March forecast of the Center for Economic Research and Forecasting at Cal Lutheran predicts more of the same. Here’s the chart: Notice that growth the next

Art Laffer: It’s pretty cool that Democrats know we need lower tax rates

CalWatchdog Staff March 11, 2014

Art Laffer discusses bipartisan tax reform with lower rates and a flatter base.

Feds give CA breathing room on bullet-train matching funds

Kathy Hamilton February 26, 2014

There’s been another funding twist for the California bullet-train project. The Federal Railroad Administration has agreed to delay the due date for $180 million in state matching funds for the project from April 1 to July 1, according to a

Hoover conference reaches consensus on some areas of pension reform

John Seiler February 20, 2014

Today the Hoover Institution released a crucial document in California’s debate over pensions, “California Public Pension Solutions: Post-Conference Report.” The conference itself took place last October. But its debates and findings now have been compiled for everyone to read and

CA jobs growth continues strong

John Seiler February 12, 2014

New data show strong jobs growth continuing in California throughout the year. That’s good news for the state’s workers. And it’s especial good news for one jobholder in particular: Gov. Jerry Brown, who is being coy about a re-election run