Tag "John Seiler"
Back to homepageTax credit could cost taxpayers $1 billion
California now is considering a state-level Earned Income Tax Credit. That comes just in time for Jan. 27, the IRS’ EITC Awareness Day. (I am not making this up.) According to a study by the Legislative Analyst, requested by the
Read MoreDrought mostly over, govt. water takeover isn’t
It looks like the drought is receding, the U.S. Drought Monitor reported on Thursday: In summary, a wet December (to date) has provided California a foothold for drought recovery, but 3 straight winters of subnormal precipitation will take time (possibly
Read MoreCA data does not compute
California remains the global epicenter of computers and the Internet. Then why do so many of its state-government systems not compute? The latest critique comes in a new report, “Data Reliability,” by State Auditor Elaine M. Howle. Subtitle: “State Agencies’
Read MoreCA firefighter makes $508,893
The problem of absurdly high compensation for government workers in California never seems to get better. The latest from the Orange County Register’s Watchdog: Several California firefighters managed to triple their base salaries by working tons of overtime last year,
Read MoreDems bring back fundraising party
When the going gets tough — the tough party. A series of scandals involving three California state senators forced the cancellation of the Pro Tem Golf fundraiser earlier this year. But it’s hard to keep party animals down. The party
Read MoreDismal election turnout
The California Secretary of State’s office just released figures showing the Nov. 4 election suffered the worst turnout rate ever. According to the Capitol Weekly summary: Less than a third of California’s eligible voters cast ballots on Nov. 4…. Of
Read MoreHigh-speed rail incompatible with current tracks
One reason the American South lost the Civil War was it had numerous incompatible railroad track systems, requiring supplies to be unloaded, then loaded again, for each different segment. By contrast, the Northern rail networks were more uniform, although not
Read MoreLow taxes bring CA high tech to Luxembourg
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
Read MoreShould U.C. be ‘independent’?
As I’ve noted in two recent posts, here and here, 50 years after the Berkeley Free Speech Movement, there’s no more academic freedom or free speech at California universities. Only politically correct repression. Meanwhile, costs are soaring for students and
Read MoreHigh cost of living sours holiday spirit
The drop in gas prices certainly is welcome. Especially during this holiday season. But seemingly everything else is going up in price — as you probably noticed at the grocery store or when shopping for housing. And health care? My
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