California Politicians Keep Raising the Cost-of-Living

By Edward Ring
01/03/2017
Ever since the surprise victory of Donald Trump on November 8th, California’s Democratic leadership have asserted their determination to thwart the Trump agenda. Expect unity and resolve from California’s legislature, where democrats now hold a super-majority in both chambers. Even before Nov. 8th, California’s legislature was a trend-setting force, enacting laws intended to set an...

TAGS: California cost of living, cost of living

When Will Unions Fight to Lower the Cost of Living?

By Edward Ring
10/27/2015
A report issued earlier this year from California’s Office of Legislative Analyst “California’s High Housing Costs: Causes and Consequences,” cites the following statistics:  “Today, an average California home costs $440,000, about two–and–a–half times the average national home price ($180,000). Also, California’s average monthly rent is about $1,240, 50 percent higher than the rest of the country ($840...

TAGS: California cost of living, cost of living

Strike by Santa Clara County Workers Averted

By Edward Ring
06/30/2015
Everyone should breathe a sigh of relief. Or should they? Santa Clara County’s nurses, librarians, janitors, dispatchers, and assorted other workers belonging to SEIU Local 521 will not be going on strike after all. At least not yet. Late night negotiations have produced a deal that’s being sent back to the members. The exact terms of...

TAGS: cost of living

Desalination Plants vs. Bullet Trains and Pensions

By Edward Ring
04/07/2015
Current policy solutions enacted to address California’s water crisis provide an object lesson in how corruption masquerading as virtue is impoverishing the general population to enrich a handful of elites. Instead of building freeways, expanding ports, restoring bridges and aqueducts, and constructing dams, desalination plants, and power stations, California’s taxpayers are pouring tens of billions...

TAGS: "bullet train", California drought, cost of living, desalination, high speed rail, pension funds

Raise the Minimum Wage, or Lower the Cost of Living?

By Edward Ring
03/31/2015
Increases to the minimum wage in California are moving closer to reality. As reported on March 30th by MyNewsLA.com, “Los Angeles County Supervisors Sheila Kuehl and Hilda Solis will ask their colleagues to approve spending up to $95,000 to have the Los Angeles Economic Development Corporation review a series of studies of the issue performed...

TAGS: cost of living, Minimum Wage

An Economic Win-Win For California – Lower the Cost of Living

By Edward Ring
12/03/2014
A frequent and entirely valid point made by representatives of public sector unions is that their membership, government workers, need to be able to afford to live in the cities and communities they serve. The problem with that argument, however, is that nobody can afford to live in these cities and communities, especially in California....

TAGS: cost of living, land development

Arrogance of the Political Elite Costs You at the Pump

By Jon Coupal
07/14/2014
It’s election season and finally there’s a bit of good news for California politicians seeking reelection. A recent Field poll shows that, for the first time in 7 years, there are more California voters that think they are financially better off than those who believe they are worse off. However, for the political elite, that...

TAGS: cost of living, Jon Coupal