Earlier this year, this column raised the alarm over the resurgence in the use of “pension obligation bonds,” a risky financing method that fell out …
California Commentary
Not the time to gut Proposition 13 and raise taxes
Under California law, proposed initiatives must be presented to the California Legislature in an “informational hearing” open to the public. …
The Heroes Act just rewards bad behavior and poor governance
“That which gets rewarded, gets repeated” is a principle equally applicable in business management, dog training and public policy. As to the …
How will we get around after the virus?
The COVID-19 pandemic has upended our lives by putting our health at risk, disrupting our work lives and robbing us of most of our recreational …
Will the coronavirus pandemic lead to tax increases?
In January, Gov. Gavin Newsom presented a proposed budget for fiscal year 2020-2021 which envisioned a several billion dollar increase in spending for …
Standing for taxpayers and direct democracy
By Jon Coupal and Timothy Bittle The powers of direct democracy — initiative, referendum and recall — have been powerful tools to control …
Of nuclear-powered airplanes and the bullet train
A long-forgotten aspect of the nuclear arms race was the costly undertaking by the United States to develop a nuclear-powered aircraft as a strategic …
The dark side of stimulus
The COVID-19 pandemic has turned the world upside down with massive disruptions in virtually every aspect of human life. With some notable exceptions, …
Prop. 13 opponents turn in their signatures
With great fanfare, the proponents of an initiative to raise property taxes in California by $12 billion a year announced they had turned in over 1.7 …
Little coronavirus relief for property owners
The second installment of the 2019-2020 property tax bill was due on Friday and we hope the majority of California’s property owners were able to pay …