State Controller Betty Yee's just-released July Cash Report shows state personal income tax revenue falling behind estimates by 6.9 percent, or $323 …
California Commentary
Controller Dead Wrong on Property Taxes
California’s State Controller, Betty Yee, normally displays a measured, albeit liberal, view of California fiscal affairs. While viewed as reasonably …
Heads Up, Taxpayers
If public attention is being drawn to national politics and the presidential race, there is a group of local officials who are thrilled. They have …
Teachers Union Hits Taxpayers with ‘Money Club’ Again
The California Teachers Association has just dropped $10 million into its campaign to extend the “temporary” income tax hike voters approved when they …
Tell Me Again Why We Need Higher Taxes?
This November, California voters will face a slew of tax and bond proposals at both the state and local levels. Each of those ballot measures will be …
Is Coffee the New Gold Standard?
Since 1971, the United States has been off the gold standard. Instead of the value of the dollar being defined in terms of gold, our currency is said …
‘Right to Vote on Taxes’ Case Now Before California Supreme Court
Last week the California Supreme Court agreed to hear a case that could determine whether the right to vote on local taxes, which is constitutionally …
Property Taxes to Increase by 13 Percent in Coming Year
In Chicago, escalating property taxes are headline news. With the average property tax bill due to go up by 13 percent – and more increases in …
Concealed Transparency: Legislature Tries to Fool the Public Again
You might have heard some news lately about legislative transparency, referring to efforts to subject what goes on in the California Legislature to …
Budget Deception: Weird Accounting Diminishes Accountability
This week, after reaching agreement with Governor Brown, the California Legislature will pass the state budget for the 2016-17 fiscal year. In so …