Tag "budget deficit"
Back to homepageArmageddon? It's Already Here
John Seiler: “Armageddon” was the word columnist George Skelton used for what would happen if Gov. Jerry Brown’s $12 billion tax increase isn’t put on a special June ballot, then approved by voters. The two tax-lovers sat down for lunch.
Read More'Last Call' For Republicans
MARCH 7 Throughout history, strong political leaders have had the ability to discipline wayward party members. But currently, California Republicans aren’t exactly in a strong enough position to offer up the usual disciplinary threats: removal from cushy or prestigious committee
Read MoreEnergy Prices Are Going Up
MAR. 4, 2011 By KATY GRIMES Renewable energy standards are increasing from 20 percent to 33 percent, “whether you like it or not.” Borrowing a phrase used by California’s Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom, back when he was mayor, seems the
Read MoreInflation Stalks CA Budgets
MARCH 4, 2011 BY JOHN SEILER Like a rerun of “That 70s Show,” inflation is back. And it’s hitting both personal and government budgets in California. The most obvious signal of renewed inflation is the rise in prices at the
Read MoreOn Wisconsin! On to CA!
John Seiler: The best part about the turmoil in Wisconsin is that the government there is jammed up. AP reports: Wisconsin’s budget stalemate over union bargaining rights shows no sign of resolution – and it could be a long wait.
Read MoreBonds = Delayed Tax Increases
John Seiler: For years now — even decades — I’ve called government bonds “delayed tax increases.” That’s because the bonds, eventually, must be paid off with money from the general fund. And if other government spending is to continue —
Read MorePensions Before The Poor!
FEB. 28, 2011 By TROY ANDERSON For years, officials in California have used accounting gimmicks, stimulus funds and the state credit card to keep the safety net intact. But experts say the state may have run out of tricks. Facing
Read MoreL.A. Junior College Boondoggle
John Seiler: “Poor planning, frivolous spending and shoddy workmanship” That’s the key phrase in an excellent L.A. Times investigative story that ran today on how a $5.7 billion L.A. community college bond was spent. Keep that in mind as Gov.
Read MoreJerry's Real Plan: $25 billion in Cuts?
John Seiler: Looking over Katy Grimes’ budget piece today on Jerry Brown’s testimony before the Legislature, “Is An All-Cuts Budget Ahead,” I was wondering: Does he want his tax increases to fail? Has he all along planned to have an
Read MoreDecent Bill to Ban Redevelopment
John Seiler: After Gov. Jerry Brown in January proposed ending redevelopment to save $1.7 billion currently wasted, cities took action: They worked to lock up the money for themselves. Now, Brown is advancing a bill that would allow the state
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