When thinking of grandiose monuments to self names like Kufu and Ramses the Great come to mind. Rulers like these would forcibly direct their empire's …
California Commentary
More Proposition 13 Myths
Most everyone has heard about the fried rodent found in an order of chicken from a national fast-food chain. And what about the scuba diver who was …
Doing the People’s Business or Their Own?
Our elected leaders are generating a great deal of buzz now in the Capitol -- but very little of it has to do with issues that concern ordinary …
Los Angeles Making War on Homeowners
By a vote of 13 to zip the Los Angeles City Council has instructed the city attorney to draft a property tax increase of $72 for an upcoming ballot. …
Paying ‘Young’ People Not to Work
The Center for Government Analysis has released a study of the 130 public pension systems in California their financial health and the extent of …
Dead Parrots and Tax Increases
In a classic Monty Python sketch a man is duped into buying a dead parrot from a pet shop. He quickly discovers the expired nature of his purchase and …
Welcome to Sacramento
The opening session of the California Legislature begins this month with over a third -- 48 out of 120 -- of the members being fresh faces. Term …
Public Employee Pensions: Sunshine at Last?
Last week this column talked about the explosive issue of public employee pension benefits and noted that beginning soon new rules would require …
Time for New Local Government Accounting Rules
'Tis the season and the ghosts of Christmas past present and future are about to visit themselves on local governments as retribution for their …
A Tax By Any Other Name
Senate leader Don Perata has a plan to provide all uninsured working Californians with health insurance at an estimated cost of $5 billion to $7 …