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Dealing with the Porter Ranch gas leak aftermath

In front a background of a steady stream of work vehicles ascending the Santa Susana Mountains to the Porter Ranch Aliso Canyon methane gas storage facility, several state senators laid out plans for dealing with the leak’s aftermath once the

First debate of 2016 CA election season tackles poverty, taxes

Joel Fox December 15, 2015

It’s not even 2016 yet, but the first debate over a probable initiative on the November 2016 ballot took place in Dana Point Monday when former Board of Equalization member Conway Collis squared off with Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association president

Poll: Voters hesitant on potential 2016 tax hike initiatives

Joel Fox October 3, 2015

A recent Public Policy Institute of California poll took the measure of many of the potential tax initiatives on the 2016 ballot. This snapshot in time indicates supporters of the tax increases have a lot of work to do to convince

Sen. Feinstein remarks on Iran deal, CA drought

Joel Fox September 5, 2015

Anyone wonder if U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein has the same feeling expressed by Gov. Jerry Brown about a presidential run — if she were a decade or so younger would she consider running for president? I pondered this when in

SB350 support hinges on cost vs. environmental protections

Joel Fox September 1, 2015

Looking at the results of the California Business Roundtable/California Manufacturing & Technology Association poll on Senate Bill 350, the new climate change policy being considered in the CA Legislature, you can almost see how campaign arguments would be formulated if

Taxes vs. reform — Transportation negotiations continue

Joel Fox August 25, 2015

Watching the maneuvering to pass a transportation revenue package in the special session, I can’t help but think of the observation by that great philosopher Yogi Berra who said: “It’s déjà vu all over again.” The legislative scrum over a

As Legislature reconvenes, businesses hone the art of the deal

Joel Fox August 18, 2015

What’s business looking for in the remaining legislative session and what kind of deals are being discussed to get there? A number of large business organizations have offered support for funding sources to be used for transportation infrastructure purposes on

Dueling road plans propose higher taxes, seek to reduce driving

Joel Fox August 12, 2015

Drivers are likely scratching their heads over conflicting approaches to transportation goals in the state and cities. A coalition of business and labor organizations supported a plan to raise funds for road repair to the tune of $6 billion a year

Groups eye additional “sin tax” revenue

Joel Fox July 28, 2015

Is a tax on cigarettes a revenue raiser or a “sin tax” — used to discourage individuals from using products considered harmful? The effort to raise taxes on cigarettes – there is a measure in the Legislature as well a

How will business lobby influence special session on transportation funds?

Joel Fox July 1, 2015

Governor Jerry Brown called special sessions to find permanent revenue sources to fund transportation infrastructure and Medi-Cal. The issue of keeping up with deteriorating roads has been a special concern to the business community and Brown is counting on business