Budget and Finance
Back to homepageDenying The Untouchables
JAN. 13, 2011 As California grapples with substantial proposed budget cuts, many are asking if the cuts can actually save the state. Instead of addressing the need for comprehensive reform of the historically untouchable public employee unions, and welfare and
Read MoreFed Decision Led To 'Tough' CA Budget
JAN. 12, 2011 By CHRISS STREET Ten years from now university economists will analyze Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke’s recent presentation to the U.S. Senate Budget Committee as the successful turning point in American economic policy from a focus on
Read MoreTough Talk Can't Hide Tax/Spend Budget
JAN. 11, 2011 By JOHN SEILER In his Jan. 3 Inaugural Address, Gov. Jerry Brown promised us a respite from the “smoke and mirrors” budgets of recent years, especially those of ex-Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. So the budget he unveiled Monday,
Read MoreBrown Wisely Takes On Corporate Welfare
JAN. 10, 2010 By STEVEN GREENHUT The Sacramento Bee’s coverage of Gov. Jerry Brown’s proposed plan to eliminate redevelopment agencies reads like something out of a California Redevelopment Association press release: “Old Sacramento was revived with the help of public
Read MorePort of Call for CA’s Crippled Commerce
JAN. 10, 2010 By LAER PEARCE If Gov. Jerry Brown has any chance of draining California’s budget swamp of red ink, he’s going to need more than aggressive spending cuts and votes for more taxes, as he proposes. He’s also
Read MoreBrown's Budget Shifts Much To Localities
JAN. 10, 2010 By WAYNE LUSVARDI Gov. Jerry Brown’s budget fix is a topic of statewide social conversation but often misreported in the media. Re: Jerry Brown Wants to Tame Budget with Tax Extensions, Deep Cuts, LA Times Anatomy of
Read MorePerdition is our condition
JAN. 10, 2010 As a new governor takes over amid a flurry of promises and activity, and the tired, boring old governor exits the scene, it’s easy to forget that the old guy also came in amid a torrent of
Read MorePulling Back CalPERS' Ethics Curtain
JAN. 7, 2010 By WAYNE LUSVARDI The Securities and Exchange Commission has exposed the self-righteous CalPERS, the California Public Employees Retirement System, as no longer the self-anointed ethical wizards of pension funds. L. Frank Baum wrote that when he started
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Waiting To See Agenda 2011
JAN. 7, 2011 Tucked away under the authority of the California State Library, the California Research Bureau “provides nonpartisan research services to the Governor and his staff, to both houses of the legislature, and to other state elected officials.” In
Read MoreBrown Sets State Up For Tax Vote
JAN. 4, 2011 By JOHN SEILER In his inaugural address Monday, new (and past) Gov. Jerry Brown spoke eloquently of past Californians, including his great-grandparents, who overcame tremendous obstacles to build our state: The people of California have not lost
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