A Surplus of Nonsense in the Governor’s Latest Budget
A Surplus of Nonsense in the Governor’s Latest Budget
There are two big days for a California governor, January 10 when the budget is presented and the May Revise when a few months of additional data and debate have passed. They’re both political documents, allowing governors to play with numbers. Few governors have been as sporting in that enterprise as Gavin Newsom. Last week,...
By John Moorlach
Resist the “Pothole Tax”
Resist the “Pothole Tax”
Last week, Will Kempton, Executive Director of Transportation California and former Director of Caltrans published a response to Jon Coupal, President of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association, in a Fox & Hounds piece stating that, “…in spite of all the recent audits and criticism, the organization employs competent people who want to serve the public well.” In the...
By John Moorlach
Higher Taxes for Roads, or for Union Overstaffing and Overpaying?
Higher Taxes for Roads, or for Union Overstaffing and Overpaying?
California has some of the highest gasoline taxes and transportation fees – including hidden cap and trade costs not accounted for in the taxes and fees – along with the lowest ranked roads in the nation. This year, the majority Democratic Party found new ways to spend the $6 billion to $9 billion in additional...
By John Moorlach
Five Key Measures of California's Fiscal Health
Five Key Measures of California's Fiscal Health
Editor’s Note: The recent election of John Moorlach as a state senator is one of the best things that has ever happened to California’s legislature. Not because of his party affiliation, or his ideology, but because he has a skill in short supply in Sacramento – he is a Certified Public Accountant. Moorlach is the only...
By John Moorlach
Civic Openness in Negotiations Ordinances Hold Elected Officials Accountable
Civic Openness in Negotiations Ordinances Hold Elected Officials Accountable
Eight years ago, then Orange County Register reporter Norberto Santana opened his piece, “The Art of the O.C. Deal (Orange County Register, August 6, 2006),” with the following observation: “When people see the board of supervisors vote on a labor deal, what they don’t know is that most often, an agreement has already been reached...
By John Moorlach