With all the state and local taxes on the November ballot, one would think that government at all levels in California was starved for revenue. But …
California Commentary
Making It Harder for Politicians to Fib to Their Constituents
It was Will Rogers who said, “If you ever injected truth into politics you have no politics.” If the renowned satirist were with us today, he would …
Goblins and Gobs of Tax Hikes — Plus Your Property Tax Bill
As any reader of this column knows, voters will be confronted come election day with billions and billions of new tax hikes and bond measures (which, …
Prop 13 Report from Legislative Analyst Elicits Mixed Reactions
Two weeks ago, the California Legislative Analyst released a report entitled “Common Claims About Proposition 13.” On balance, the report was a …
Proposition 13 Is Safe — For Another Few Weeks
The Legislature is in adjournment, and with lawmakers at home campaigning for reelection, they are unable to engage in their favorite pastime of …
What Took So Long to Reinstate Program for Low Income Seniors?
Property tax assistance for low income seniors, the blind and the disabled is available again. In 2009, the Legislature ended the Property Tax …
Down Ballot Measures Could Cost You Big Bucks
Election month is rapidly approaching. That’s right, “election month” because, since 2002, California voters have been freed from casting ballots in …
Legislative Session Ends, Taxpayers to Pay Even More as Usual Allies Vote for Tax Hikes
As the final day of the legislative session dawned last week, taxpayers were cautiously optimistic. After all, we had already stopped the most direct …
California Special Districts: Hiding in Plain Sight
Special districts in California are the unnoticed variant of local government entities. Although they spend over $42 billion annually, most taxpayers …
High Speed Rail Is ‘On Track’ to Incur Billions in Overruns
High-speed rail continues to be an expensive, sick joke for California. Under the current plan, it is no longer “high-speed” and projected costs, …