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 …
California Commentary
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 …
There Ought NOT Be a Law
Sometimes, in frustration over a perceived injustice, it is easy to think, “there ought to be a law,” but Californians should be careful what they …
The Great California Breakaway
California breaking off into the ocean as a result of the “Big One” is science fiction fantasy to Hollywood, credible urban legend to citizens of Los …
Can California’s Taxpayers Be Thankful for 2016?
If taxpayers focus on the results of the recent election, there may not seem to be much to celebrate. While the rest of America took a big step toward …