On April 17th, Governor Schwarzenegger called a meeting of taxpayer leaders throughout California. In addition to inviting the Howard Jarvis Taxpayer Association, the business groups were also well represented by the California Taxpayers Association, the California Chamber of Commerce, and the California Manufacturers and Technology Association, among others. Representing a national taxpayer group was the National Tax Limitation Committee and, in recognition of their importance, the leaders of some of the larger local taxpayer groups were also invited.  Read more >>

To many Americans, the word "hypocrisy" is a synonym for politics. Congressman Alan Mollahan is only the latest example. Accusations that he funneled government money to supporters and business partners forced the ranking Democrat on the House Ethics Committee to step down. Will he eventually share a cell with his former colleague, Randy "Duke" Cunningham, a Republican lawmaker and war hero, who recently pled guilty to accepting bribes to influence decisions on defense contracts?  Read more >>

In an April 17 op-ed piece in the San Jose Mercury News, state Senator Don Perata complains that in California we are witnessing the hollowing out of the middle class because of what he sees as an inadequate response to our education, housing, transportation and health care needs.  Read more >>