The Bear Flag, which first appeared as the symbol of the short-lived Bear Flag Republic in 1846, was made the official flag of California in 1911. The …
California Commentary
Sen. Hertzberg targets homeowners with higher water and sewer rates
It’s no secret that tax-and-spend interests have hated Proposition 13 since its adoption by the voters in 1978. Immediately after passage, Prop. 13 …
California: Time for a Major Change in Course
By Lewis K. Uhler and Jon Coupal Governor Brown, California Attorney General Becerra, legislative and other government officials are fixated on …
Taxes, Fees, Charges and Assessments: What Difference Does It Make?
What’s the difference between a tax and fee? There is no easy answer and the political class likes it that way. In fact, they would prefer that the …
For Tax Raisers, End of Drought Is Bad News
As I write this, it is raining in Sacramento. Pouring, actually. And even though I live about 200 yards from the Sacramento River, I have confidence …
Will Taxpayers Be Mugged by Sacramento?
Governor Brown has just released his spending proposal for 2017-18 and taxpayers should not be blamed if they feel like they are walking down a dark …
California Democrats Behaving Like Confederates
For fiscal conservatives and free market advocates, the national elections in 2008 and 2012 brought no small measure of disappointment. In its …
A Happy New Year for State Workers
In a recent column, I commented on how joyous the holiday season would be for members of the state legislature and our constitutional officers who are …
A King’s Ransom for ‘Public Servants’?
Once upon a time we called them “public servants.” Today, most taxpayers struggle to keep a straight face when this term is used to describe the …
The Freedom to Leave
Human beings prefer freedom to collectivism and tyranny. Only those in complete denial disregard the negative consequences of policies that suppress …