Investigation

Rainfall study contradicts CA water policy

In the mid-1970s, it was common for many Santa Barbara County communities to deny water meters to limit growth and development. Santa Barbara experienced periodic droughts up until 1991, when it finally built a pipeline connecting to the State Water

Bill aims to curb human trafficking

Dave Roberts August 13, 2013

When Angela Guanzon was offered the opportunity to leave the Philippines and work in the United States, she felt like she had won the lottery. But when she arrived, her dream turned into a nightmare. Guanzon was told by the

Leftists seek SEC regulation of corporate speech

Dave Roberts August 9, 2013

This is the second in a two-part series on the battle over corporate political speech. Part one can be read here. “We see political spending as distorting markets in policy making and creating a skewed playing field,” said Bruce Freed,

Debaters clash over allowing corporate free speech

Dave Roberts August 7, 2013

This is the first article in a two-part series on the battle against corporate political speech. The U.S. Supreme Court’s Citizen’s United decision in 2010 affirmed the right of businesses, associations and unions to freely engage in politics. Since then,

‘Progressives’ advancing California monopolies

Wayne Lusvardi July 30, 2013

Modern California politics was forged from the Progressive Movement’s “purification” of the political machines and bosses to bring about the reform of monopolistic railroad, insurance and banking trusts that dominated the state. The Progressives reached their apogee a century ago

CA’s legendary energy efficiency is statistical myth

Wayne Lusvardi July 16, 2013

By now many of you have seen the legendary chart nearby. It shows that California energy use per person has remained relatively flat, while the trend for the other states has risen significantly during the last 50 years. It has

California Solar Initiative: overhyped and underperforming

Wayne Lusvardi July 10, 2013

Now that the $2.167 billion California Solar Initiative is winding down, electricity ratepayers might ask: What was it and what did it accomplish? Was it: 1.) A cutting edge solar energy project to bring about a “self-sustaining” solar power industry,

Vehicle-fee extension would funnel taxes of less affluent to the rich

CalWatchdog Staff July 8, 2013

July 8, 2013 By Dave Roberts Assembly Democrats, many of whom see themselves as champions of the downtrodden, instead became reverse Robin Hoods recently, robbing from the poor and middle class to give to the rich. Nearly every Democrat along

Public ‘onslaught’ stopped union PLA bid

CalWatchdog Staff July 1, 2013

July 1, 2013 By John Hrabe If you’re jaded about politics and question whether elected officials listen to their constituents, consider the story of how a group of concerned taxpayers and small business owners stopped the Coast Community College District

UFW strong-arms its own employees

CalWatchdog Staff June 24, 2013

June 24, 2013 By Katy Grimes What would Cesar Chavez say? The iconic co-founder of the United Farm Workers union organized across California to improve farm laborers’ pay, benefits and working conditions. Cesar Chavez Day is a state holiday on