California Commentary

Cutting California's Corrections Costs

Jon Coupal — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 17:44:28 -0700

We all know California is swimming in red ink and facing chronic budget troubles. The state deficit is at least $20 billion – again. Debt levels and overwhelming public pension obligations are unsustainable and, unfortunately, leaders in Sacramento cannot agree on how to tackle these problems. Read more >>

Time to Draw the Line on the Energy Tax

Jon Coupal — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 04:25:47 -0700

In 2006, California embarked on a great experiment by passing its own law to reduce global warming. But Assembly Bill 32, “The Global Warming Solutions Act,” is hardly a “solution” if you ask any economist, employer or taxpayer group. Governor Schwarzenegger inexplicably signed the bill into law, perhaps searching for some sort of legacy for his ill-fated administration. Read more >>

Steinberg's Fake Reforms

Jon Coupal — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 21:15:08 -0700

Fake. Faux. Pretend. Bogus. Phony. There are a lot of words in the English language to describe something that is represented as something it is not.

With all the very real problems facing California today, one would think that our state Legislature would enact real reforms. Regrettably, however, the majority party continues to pursue fake reforms which probably helps to explain the institution’s dismal 16% approval rating. Read more >>

Still a 'Precious Right'

Jon Coupal — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 20:25:19 -0800

The right of initiative has been properly characterized as a “precious right” by the California Supreme Court. Yet criticisms of direct democracy, mostly from the left, have grown in recent years. These include criticisms from the usual media detractors but, more dangerous to direct democracy, have also been expressed by members of California’s highest court. Read more >>

Why Meg, Why Now?

Jon Coupal — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 23:07:44 -0800

Why has the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association Political Action Committee endorsed Meg Whitman? It’s all about the “tipping point.”

To understand how we came to this conclusion and why it is critical to the future of our state, it is important to understand the nature of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association (HJTA) and the Political Action Committee (HJTA-PAC). Read more >>

State's Revenue Acceleration Is an Attack on Taxpayers

Jon Coupal — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 07:01:52 -0800

How would you like to be able to borrow as much money as you want and not have to pay any interest? And better yet, when payments come due, you could borrow more to make these payments and still not have to pay any interest. Sound like a good deal? It certainly has been for the state of California for the past 39 years. It's called income tax withholding. Behind closed doors in the Capitol, it is called “revenue acceleration” because it forces workers to pay government before taxes are actually owed. Read more >>

Remember the $12.6 Billion Tax Hike!

Jon Coupal — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 22:43:15 -0800

In this era of instant gratification and short attention spans, it is easy to think of one year ago as “ancient history.” However it is important to remember that it was only 12 months ago that the California Legislature slammed taxpayers with a $12.6 billion tax increase -- about $1,200 annually for the average family -- because, if given the chance, they will do it again.

Before last year’s massive tax increase, Californians were paying the highest sales, income and car taxes in the nation. Now, if you have a job, a child, drive a car or buy gas, you pay much more. Read more >>

Checking In For Pay; Checking Out of Reality

Jon Coupal — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 11:56:47 -0800

How would you like to go to work at 9 a.m., wave to your boss and say "Hi, I'm here. Bye," and then immediately turn around, walk out the door and go home or play a round of golf – and, here's the best part, still get a paycheck instead of being fired? And suppose to make it easier on you, you could just drive by your place of employment and check in at the curb? Read more >>

Is Proposition 13 to Blame for California’s Fiscal Crisis?

Jon Coupal — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 18:53:50 -0800

When California voters approved Proposition 13 by a landslide in 1978 they launched a nationwide revolt for lower taxes. Critics now blame that revolt for our current fiscal crisis. That charge needs to be considered in the light of actual data about property taxes in California. Read more >>

Lights, Camera, Action!

Jon Coupal — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 00:07:21 -0800

It is said the most dangerous place in Sacramento is between a politician and a TV camera. This is because politicians, by nature, subsist on attention. Since the media has a guiding principle, “If it bleeds it leads,” politicians know they will not get good coverage simply by being good stewards of the public’s business. They must show action! So what we end up with, not surprisingly, is lots of activity and very little in the way of results. Read more >>