It generates few headlines, so many taxpayers are unaware that local governments continue to pump millions of dollars of tax increments -- property tax revenue usually withheld from schools and other essential services -- to fund pet projects that may not be in the public interest. This is all done under the guise of “Community Redevelopment.”  Read more >>

Thirty-two years ago, Time Magazine wrote about the passage of Proposition 13, “That angry noise was the sound of a middle-class tax revolt erupting and its tremors are shaking public officials from Sacramento to Washington D.C.”

The power of Proposition 13 to shake up the political landscape and topple politicians, who attempt to undermine it, remains undiminished.  Read more >>

California’s $19 billion budget deficit seems to worsen by the day, but an even larger financial crisis is brewing in the state’s pension system. Over the last two decades, state lawmakers have bestowed massive pension and benefit increases upon government workers. Unfortunately, taxpayers are now getting the bills for these handouts. Recent studies estimate California has $500 billion in unfunded pension liabilities, not to mention over $50 billion in unfunded retiree health care liabilities.  Read more >>

Like the proverbial wolf that continues to lick the knife blade because it enjoys the taste of its own blood, the Democrats are back with another huge tax increase.

At a time when the state’s economy and taxpayers are still staggering under the burden of last year’s $12.6 billion tax increase, Democrats are pushing a plan to raise taxes by yet another $5 billion and to borrow an additional $8.7 billion.  Read more >>

Promoters of Proposition 14 on the June ballot are calling it the “open” primary.

Ah yes, “open” makes it sound so inclusive, so liberating, so egalitarian -- what could possibly be wrong with that? If you pay taxes in California, the answer is: plenty!  Read more >>