Want to Rule the World? Run for Local Office

By Lance Christensen
01/23/2024
When interviewing for a legislative fellowship in Sacramento, California over two decades ago, the panel asked about my career plans. I worked through a progression I thought was essential for any aspiring politico, concluding confidently that I was eventually going to run for Congress. In my mind, that’s where all the important political action was....

TAGS: California, California local elected officials, California Policy Center, Epoch Times

CPC Launches Parental Rights Pledge Campaign

By California Policy Center
08/25/2023
California Policy Center’s Parent Union has launched a Parental Rights Pledge campaign in response to the assault on the constitutional rights of parents and the authority of local school boards by California legislators, Gov. Gavin Newsom, Attorney General Rob Bonta, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond and the state’s teachers unions. The Parental Rights...

TAGS: California Policy Center, parent union, parental rights, Parental Rights Pledge

Carnage at the Capitol – CPC Newsletter

By Jordan Bruneau
01/08/2021
Carnage at the Capitol: Five people, including a San Diego woman and a Capitol Police officer, are dead after rioters seized the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday in a scene that looked from some developing world dictatorship. We strongly condemn any violence or rioting, in all its forms, whether committed by MAGA or Black Lives Matter supporters....

TAGS: California Policy Center, Trump

Waivers, lawsuits, pandemic pods and school choice legislation

By Larry Sand
07/28/2020
Last week, the school wars intensified on many fronts. Since Governor Gavin Newsom’s July 17th edict closing all but a handful of schools in California, much has transpired. First, it was uncovered a few days later that schools in the Golden State could apply for a waiver to reopen, something Newsom mysteriously omitted in his...

TAGS: American Academy of Pediatrics, American Federation of Teachers, California Policy Center, CDC, Gavin Newsom, Kerry McDonald, Lamar Alexander, Larry Sand, pandemic pods, Randi Weingarten, school choice, teachers union, Tim Scott

The Janus decision and teacher freedom: One year later

By Larry Sand
07/02/2019
What has happened, what hasn’t happened, and why. On June 27, 2018, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that government workers no longer had to pay dues to a union as a condition of employment, and the ensuing hysteria was a sight to behold. Loopy headlines like “How The Supreme Court’s Janus Decision Could Cripple Public...

TAGS: AB 119, Association of American Educators, California Policy Center, California Teachers Empowerment Network, Freedom Foundation, Janus v. AFSCME, Larry Sand, Mackinac Center for Public Policy, Mike Antonucci, National Education Association, teachers union

Union schemes, scams and some pushback

By Larry Sand
02/05/2019
In light of the Janus decision, union rule-rigging and ensuing lawsuits continue.    As the Janus case (which ultimately would give public employees a choice whether or not to pay money to a union as a condition of employment) was headed to the Supreme Court, many unions saw the writing on the wall and cooked...

TAGS: AB 119, American Federation of State, California Policy Center, California Teachers Association, County and Municipal Employees, EdSource, John Fensterwald, Liberty Justice Center, National Right to Work Foundation, teachers union, United Teachers of Los Angeles

The #WeSue movement

By Larry Sand
12/11/2018
The Janus decision in June has opened the door to litigation. Lots of litigation. It has been almost six months since the Janus ruling, which allows government workers to avoid paying a union as a condition of employment. But that was just a beginning. The decision has shone a light on many other union abuses...

TAGS: California Policy Center, Competitive Enterprise Institute, Janus ruling, Larry Sand, Liberty Justice Center, National Right to Work Foundation, release time, teachers union, Thomas Few, Trey Kovacs, United Teachers of Los Angeles, worker freedom

The unions keep rigging the rules as workers sue them

By Larry Sand
07/17/2018
  Legislation and litigation ramp up in light of the Janus decision.   The public employee unions have not been at all contrite since their 41 year run of legalized theft came to an abrupt halt. On June 27th, the Supreme Court overturned 1977’s abysmal Abood v. Detroit Board of Education decision and ruled...

TAGS: AB 119, California Policy Center, California Teachers Association, Edward Ring, Freedom Foundation, Janus v. AFSCME, Larry Sand, Mackinac Center, National Right to Work Legal Defense Foundation, teachers union

2013 CalPERS Payouts Online at Transparent California

By Mark Bucher
10/01/2014
CalPERS financial struggles are draining state taxpayers. The ever-increasing contribution rates it demands from state and local governments have already bankrupted several cities. Even for more financially stable agencies, increased CalPERS contributions have crowded out other spending priorities or tax relief. While discussions about unfunded liabilities and projected rates of return are necessary and important,...

TAGS: California Policy Center, CalPERS, TransparentCalifornia.com, unsustainable pensions