Budget and Finance

Pensions May Be 'Touchable'

CalWatchdog Staff February 11, 2011

FEB. 11, 2011 By TROY ANDERSON The prevailing wisdom holds that existing public pensions – once converted into Cadillac plans – can’t be turned back into Oldsmobiles. For decades, union officials have repeated the mantra that government agencies can’t modify

Plan Would End Collective Bargaining

CalWatchdog Staff February 10, 2011

FEB. 10, 2011 By LANNY EBENSTEIN There are at present several approaches being considered to reform public unions in California, including proposals to change public sector pensions and to enact paycheck protection, which limits the ability of unions to use

Fewer Families Dictates State's Destiny

CalWatchdog Staff February 9, 2011

FEB. 9, 2011 By WAYNE LUSVARDI The package of spending cuts and tax increases championed by Gov. Jerry Brown in his State of the State (SOS) address, and his opinion poll chorus at the liberal Public Policy Institute of California,

Blakeslee Plans For Tax Law Reforms

CalWatchdog Staff February 8, 2011

FEB. 8, 2011 By KATY GRIMES During the gubernatorial campaign, job creation and retention was a prominent theme in candidate Jerry Brown’s speeches. And now as governor, his recent State of the State address also included the job theme. Since

Another View On Urban Consolidation

CalWatchdog Staff February 7, 2011

FEB. 7, 2011 Professor Fred Smoller, director of Brandman University’s public administration program in Irvine anda Calwatchdog advisory board member, rebuts this column by Steven Greenhut By FRED SMOLLER If Orange County were a city, it would be the third-largest

Pension Initiative, Legislation Planned

CalWatchdog Staff February 7, 2011

FEB. 7, 2011 By DAVE ROBERTS With California potentially facing a $500 billion-plus unfunded pension liability, several pieces of legislation limiting retirement benefits will be considered in the current session and a more comprehensive reform initiative is being planned for

Lockyer Supports Redevelopment End

FEB. 3, 2011 By KATY GRIMES State Treasurer Bill Lockyer just this week joined the chorus of calls to deny funding for local redevelopment as one way to reduce the state’s $25 billion budget shortfall. Gov. Jerry Brown’s January budget proposal

CRA's Linda Barton: Deer In Headlights

CalWatchdog Staff February 2, 2011

FEB. 2, 2011 By STEVEN GREENHUT If California Redevelopment Association President Linda Barton’s presentation Tuesday at a Sacramento Press Club debate was any indication, then Gov. Jerry Brown might have an easier time than expected in getting rid of the

Moody's Views of Brown's SOS Speech

CalWatchdog Staff February 1, 2011

FEB. 1, 2011 By WAYNE LUSVARDI In a press release dated Jan. 27, Moody’s credit-rating agency began adding unfunded public pension debt to total bonded indebtedness for state and municipal governments across the U.S. Moody’s press release wasn’t reported until

Brown Says Lots, But What Will He Do?

Anthony Pignataro February 1, 2011

FEB. 1, 2011 This year, they actually showed Gov. Jerry Brown’s State of the State address at the elegant Esquire Grill in downtown Sacramento with the sound on. They usually show the speech on the bar’s sole flat-screen, but not