Today, I joined my fellow Board of Equalization members in a 5-0 vote to lower the gasoline excise tax 3.5 cents per gallon as of July 1, 2014.

Our vote today is good news for California taxpayers. This much-needed tax relief will arrive as Californians are on the road for summer vacations.

Lower gas taxes are good for our economy and good for jobs, but even with this cut Californians will continue to pay one of the highest gas taxes in the nation.

Unfortunately, some in the Legislature want you to pay more taxes, rather than less. Just last week a leading lawmaker proposed raising your gas tax by up to 43 cents per gallon.

Rather than plotting to raise taxes at a time when the state is already awash in cash, lawmakers should be finding ways to simplify our tax laws and make life easier for California taxpayers.

Lawmakers could start by scrapping the confusing and complicated gas tax formula they enacted in 2010 and replacing it with one that is simple, straightforward and easy to understand.… Read More

Yesterday I spoke at the National Press Club on the importance of our Commander in Chief communicating with the American people on the critical value of our mission in Afghanistan and the victories we have won.

Traditionally, it is right and proper that these stories come from the Commander-in-Chief. But he has talked about Afghanistan only a handful of times during his Presidency. And each time, President Obama praised his run for the exits or pitied our wounded, instead of lauding the accomplishments of our troops and the importance of the mission they were given to fight. So, if the President of the United States won’t give this speech, I will.

Click the image below to watch the speech on the C-SPAN website. Or below that is the full text as prepared for delivery.

“For nearly 13 years now, the United States has been at war in Afghanistan.We’re there because Afghanistan was used as a launch pad for attacks that killed Americans.We have a responsibility for the safety and security of our… Read More

A barrage of new bills was introduced into the California Legislature this past week including a bill that masks a huge blow to property rights under the guise of increased public protection. Assembly Bill 2206 by Assemblyman Gomez is almost identical to AB 2299 introduced in the 2011/2012 legislative session by Assemblyman Feuer. The bill would shield the names of public safety officials from land records, which are currently open to public viewing. The reason put forth is to protect these individuals. However, County Recorders and others familiar with the public land records system, recognize the harmful effects this bill would have on property rights.

Under the provisions of AB2206, certain documents that contain the names of public safety officials would no longer be open to public review. Today anyone can research property records and see every document recorded to evaluate its authenticity. This is crucial with the rise of mortgage and real estate fraud that often… Read More

It’s good to be in with the “in” crowd, especially when the “in” crowd is made up of Sacramento politicians capable of doling out millions of dollars in tax credits.

Those currently in with the “in” crowd include any industry or company that can somehow attach “green” to their credentials. This helps explain why the state just provided the successful Tesla electric car company a $35 million tax subsidy. Yes, contrary to Kermit the Frog’s song… Read More

Driving from the foothills of El Dorado County through the majestic heights of the Grapevine, to the Restored Mission in San Juan Capistrano, today is a much different experience than it was just a few years ago. Where once there were abundant orchards and farms plush with economic opportunity now lies a dry, fallow moonscape. This reality is having a devastating impact on California’s families and its economy.

Water has always been and continues to be a precious resource and the source of great division in California. It is an integral part of our… Read More

What’s missed in the “minimum wage” brouhaha is that a large segment of those who stay at the minimum wage level actually make $12-$30+ an hour. That’s because — in states such as CA — a full minimum wage must be paid to ALL employees — including “tip” employees. Waiters, busboys, valets, hotel room cleaners, casino employees, etc. make much — often MOST — of their living off tips. In some other states, these job categories often can be paid a reduced minimum wage — understanding that their total compensation includes tips. Not so in California. http://www.dol.gov/whd/state/tipped.htm And because these employees make so much in tips, they will NEVER be paid more than the mandated minimum … Read More

A significant legal victory took place last week for those of us who strongly believe in the Second Amendment rights of Americans to keep and bear arms. A three-judge panel of the federal 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, on a two-one vote, overturned a lower court ruling in the case of Peruta vs. County of San Diego and, without going into all of the whys and wherefores, ruled unconstitutional California’s law that required the issuer of a permit to carry a concealed firearm to provide a reason (beyond simply desire, or self defense) for wanting the permit, which had to be approved by the issuing authority (typically a county Sheriff). The ruling is a bit more nuanced than that and you can get more information… Read More

The Senate Budget and Fiscal Committee hearing on Feb 6 about using cap and trade funds to fund High-Speed Rail was a lesson in bad government economics.

Roll over Milton Friedman.

Friedman, anAmerican economist, statistician, and writer who taught at the University of Chicago for more than three decades,once said that there is no such thing as different schools of economics; there is only good economics and bad economics.

Gov. Jerry Brown’s 2014-15budget proposes to spend $850 million from cap-and-trade auction revenue on various projects — including $250 million on the state’s high-speed rail project. However, this would defy the very purpose of cap-and-trade.

Under AB 32, California’s Global Warming Solutions Act… Read More