Senator Steinberg, I realize that you are not inclined to listen to the concerns of ordinary taxpayers so you will probably ignore this message -- hmmm, perhaps if we called ourselves a taxpayers "union" that would get your attention. Also, if you do read this, it will probably not be for several weeks as, immediately after the California Senate voted on the budget amendments, you jetted off to Hawaii.  Read more >>

What are taxpayers to think about the budget deal reached this week by California's political leadership? For those who not only carry the financial freight for themselves but also for government, the budget definitely reflects a mixed bag.  Read more >>

By any measure, California's government employee unions have been overwhelmingly successful -- in advancing their own interests.

Pay for government workers ranks first out of 50 states. They have no competition. Their political clout allows them to select most of their own supervisors, otherwise known as the members of the state Legislature. And much about what they do and how they are compensated is kept from the taxpayers -- their theoretical bosses -- who pay their salaries and for their benefits.  Read more >>

During recent budget negotiations, the governor stated that California needs to strike a balance between the interests of government employee unions and the interests of taxpayers. He'd better act fast because when the corpulent government unions take a seat on their end of the teeter totter, the spindly taxpayers at the other end are catapulted into the air. A soft landing does not appear likely.  Read more >>

Several years ago, the last time California was "going off a cliff," I wrote a column entitled "Taxpayer Ants and Government Grasshoppers." It was based on the wonderful old Disney cartoon about industrious ants working hard and putting away provisions for the future and a lazy grasshopper which refused to do the same.  Read more >>