Taxes

CA Dem vs. CA Dem on taxes

One-party systems are inherently unstable. People inevitably choose sides. And budget realities always limit what government can do, bringing conflict. So it’s not surprising Democrats in California, who dominate the minority Republicans despite some GOP gains last November, are fighting

UC president appears to cave in fight with Gov. Brown

Chris Reed January 22, 2015

Three months ago, University of California President Janet Napolitano triggered a fight with Gov. Jerry Brown and leaders of the Legislature when she persuaded the UC regents to commit to a five-year plan in which tuition was raised by 5

San Diego mayor leery of subsidizing stadium, sees political risk

Chris Reed January 16, 2015

San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer’s call for another task force to consider how to build the Chargers a new stadium and keep the NFL team from fleeing to a newly plausible Los Angeles stadium prompted an are-you-kidding-me reaction from the

Some crucial context on Brown’s new energy policy and AB 32

Chris Reed January 12, 2015

Gov. Jerry Brown’s decision to seek to extend the state of California’s push against global warming to 2030 with a further embrace of costlier-but-cleaner energy got a positive response from many environmental groups and journalists. The idea that California would

Message for CA: France dumps 75% income tax

John Seiler January 5, 2015

Back two years ago when France jacked up its top income tax rate to 75 Percent, it was compared to California’s almost 52 percent rate (combined federal and state). The pro-tax New York Times said high-taxes didn’t drive away the

New category of CA employees tries to sandbag pension fixes

Chris Reed January 5, 2015

When elected officials participate even very indirectly in a process that improves their compensation, the public goes wild. It’s powerful attack-ad fodder for candidates seeking to unseat such politicians. But when powerful bureaucrats engage in such in a maneuver —

Humorous new attack on Prop. 13

John Seiler December 30, 2014

Lenny Bruce was funnier But Lenny Goldberg is pretty funny, too. Because he’s wasted 40 years attacking Proposition 13, the landmark 1978 property-tax limitation initiative. The Times just ran a puff piece on him. There’s no hint that, in a state

CA public schools can’t charge students for parking

Chris Reed December 28, 2014

San Diego tech entrepreneur Michael Robertson is also a libertarian civic activist challenging government nuttiness and illegality. In a public Google Docs file, he explained how to fight a petty abuse of power used in some school districts to free

Teacher pay raises gobble up Prop 30, LCFF funds

Chris Reed December 18, 2014

In 2012, California voters approved Proposition 30, which temporarily raised sales taxes on everyone and income taxes on the wealthy. The measure was sold with the promise it would directly help public education. It was “for the kids.” In 2013,

Low taxes bring CA high tech to Luxembourg

John Seiler December 14, 2014

Luxembourg is a small, low-tax duchy that’s attracting European centers for high-tech firms from California and elsewhere. FT reported: In short order Apple’s iTunes division set up its European home in Luxembourg and was then joined by Microsoft, Cisco and