California economy

California’s international competition

Maybe the publication that is most influential among the global elite is Foreign Affairs, which is published by the Council on Foreign Relations. The new Jan/Feb 2014 number includes a symposium on, “Where to Bet Now: Six Markets to Watch.”

California: worst for small business

John Seiler December 25, 2013

It’s common knowledge that small businesses create most new jobs. Now this bad news for California: “California has landed on another naughty list, ranking as the state with the least friendly policy environment for small businesses, according to report from

Early warning on big 2014 story: CA trial lawyers’ power play

Chris Reed December 24, 2013

In an unusually tart warts-and-all Sac Bee profile of Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones, reporter Chris Cadelago gives early notice on what will be a huge story in state politics next year: “A 2014 initiative advanced by Jones, a Sacramento Democrat,

Now Bill Lockyer thinks tax cuts create jobs

John Seiler December 22, 2013

When opponents of Proposition 30 said it would kill jobs, Treasurer Bill Lockyer backed it anyway: “I worry a little bit about fairness, although when you look at the income distributions in the last 20 years and see that essentially

$Texas cashing in on fracking of shale; will CA leaders allow same?$

Texas cashing in on fracking of shale; will CA leaders allow same?

Chris Reed December 16, 2013

At Gov. Jerry Brown’s behest, California has adopted fracking regulations that appear to allow for significant use of the vastly improved drilling technology to access 15 billion-plus barrels of oil under a vast swath of Central California, from the coast

Why CA’s going to thrive: nanotech, biotech and, in particular, Google

Chris Reed December 14, 2013

I will always remember 2013 as the year that I became a downright-giddy optimist about California’s future. Regardless of the massive incompetence and (mostly legal) corruption of its government leaders, the Golden State is going to be saved by its

$Mexico to join shale/fracking revolution; will media keep CA out?$

Mexico to join shale/fracking revolution; will media keep CA out?

Chris Reed December 12, 2013

This spring, I did a two-week series for Cal Watchdog on the many nations around the world that are pursuing fracking in oil and gas exploration after witnessing its immense success in North Dakota, Montana, Texas, Ohio and Pennsylvania. Here’s

Texas-California rivalry hits new phase: burger wars

Chris Reed December 8, 2013

My money’s on the company from California. “World famous California hamburger chain In-N-Out Burger opened a new location in Round Rock Tuesday. “As the first location in Central Texas, the new In-N-Out will allow customers a much easier way to

CA SEIU poised to break new ground on political thuggery

Chris Reed December 5, 2013

The California SEIU’s thuggishness is a matter of record. SEIU leaders think nothing of openly discussing their plans to monkey-wrench a pension reform measure in Los Angeles. Or about bullying and lying to their own members. The California SEIU’s upper

Thanks, Dan: Cal Watchdog themes now Walters’ favorite talking points

Chris Reed December 2, 2013

For a year, Cal Watchdog contributors and staffers (and a Cal Watchdog alum) have been pretty much alone in pointing out two extremely relevant statistics that demolish Gov. Jerry Brown’s and the media’s narrative of the Golden State bouncing back