Below is an excellent article comparing the financial success of Europe vs. the United States — and specifically with the STATES of the U.S. As has been previously demonstrated, most Europeans are less well off than America’s lower income folks.

While this includes great data, and is based on the fine work of Economics Professor Mark Perry (I’m a fan), it does an inadequate job of adjusting for the COL in the American states and European countries. There is one chart giving the CONSUMPTION comparison which dramatically demonstrates the superiority of America vs. all the European countries, but it would be even more interesting to break that down for a state by state comparison to European countries. Ah well, it’s good enough as it is.

BTW, IF you are interesting in how our American prosperity compares between U.S. states, see my article comparing state per capita GDP adjusted for COL. For instance, you’ll find that, adjusted for COL, the per capita GDP of Texas is about 45% higher than CA:… Read More

For average Californians, the news out of Sacramento is seldom good.

Finding ways to increase the tax burden, eliminate the taxpayer protections in Proposition 13 and increasing the cost of living seem to be the preoccupation of most members of the Legislature. The majority of bills that are introduced are designed to give special interests an advantage over their competitors and/or taxpayers.

To illustrate how this can work, let’s look at an issue state regulators faced some years ago. The burning public policy question was whether or not dog groomers should be allowed to clean dogs’ teeth. No, seriously. Veterinarians argued that this should be their exclusive purview because they can perform this procedure more “safely.” Dog groomers claimed this was just an attempt by animal doctors to eliminate competition so they could increase the cost to consumers, who, because of higher prices, might be less attentive to their pets’ needs.

To read the entire column click here… Read More

Named for presidential candidate, new political party said to ‘trump’ the failures of Republicans and Democrats

Claiming they are sick and tired of politics as usual, a group of disenchanted local Republicans and Independents, as well as a few Democrats, released plans today to establish a new political party named after Donald Trump.

Under the banner, “Make America Great Again,” organizers say they are filing initial paperwork with the Secretary of State’s office to become an official party in California by the 2018 election cycle, with longer-term plans to expand into several other states.

Steve Grantham, a local auto dealer and self-described anti-tax advocate, says the choice of the name “Trump Party,” although inspired by the front-running GOP presidential candidate, transcends the name alone. “The guy has motivated many like us to find some hope in the future again,” said Grantham. “He inspired our name for the party, but it’s more than that. Whether Donald wins or loses in November, the effort will continue. Our new party will ‘trump’ the… Read More

When looking at this year’s Presidential campaigns on both sides of the aisle, many people are surprised to see how successful the outsider candidates have been and what a tough time the traditional “establishment” candidates have had. Everyone has their theories, but a popular and recurring theme is that both parties are not listening to their base. On the Republican side, conservatives have been unwavering in their commitment to smaller government and receiving the best service possible for their tax dollars and not simply rewarding big donors or making big government agencies… Read More

I spend much time fighting against ever-higher California taxes. But ask any business person what is worst about California, and “taxes” will NOT be at the top of the list. I conjecture that California LAWS and MANDATES take the top spot, with our LITIGATION climate in 2nd place, vying with our high COST OF LIVING for that runner-up spot.

Included in that top spot is the new $15 minimum wage, a cost that is far, FAR greater for most businesses than any tax increase. Especially so when one remembers that social security contributions and workers’ comp premiums are calculated in part on the amount of the employee pay.

Add to that business cost the latest scheme below, where (among other things) any company that changes the work schedule of PART-TIME workers without two WEEKS notice will have to pay the worker four hours of pay for the inconvenience.

Ultimately the goal seems to be to greatly reduce the number of part-time workers, because these folks are unlikely to join a labor union. Which explains who is BACKING this measure.

According to the “Business Climate” analysis by the Tax Foundation, California is ranked… Read More

The Sacramento Bee just published an article featuring go-to Democrat campaign consultant, longtime lobbyist, and Godfather of the United Farm Workers, Richie Ross.

The Bee probably did not to intend to, but the article cements Ross’s intertwining and conflicting roles, like a reptilian shapeshifter, synonymous with the UFW and California Agricultural Labor Relations Board member Genevieve Shiroma, as well as his consulting business and allegiances to elected state… Read More

Rolling back the power of government unions in a state like California is almost impossible. Their power has been unchallenged for so long that they now virtually control the state legislature, and their grip on local politicians extends to nearly every city, county, school district and special district.

But there have been reforms in some places, and they can serve as examples for municipalities throughout the state. Several Orange County cities have tried transparency ordinances of variable effectiveness. San Jose has restricted the use of binding arbitration. Voters in San Jose and San Diego have both passed pension reform measures. Cities scattered throughout California have grappled with unions over project labor agreements and prevailing wage laws. And in the courts, reformers have won the first round in the Vergara case, which challenges union work rules governing teacher dismissals, layoff preferences and tenure requirements.

Against the remorseless advance of the government union agenda, these and other measures are decidedly incremental. They are often overwhelmed by deceptive union measures that carry the reform label but are actually reactionary shams,… Read More

Water wars are historic undertakings in California. Countless other publications have written recently about the proposed ballot measure that would redirect High Speed Rail bond money for water-related projects and prioritize the use of water, But what makes this story interesting is the coalition of opponents, their motivations and techniques being employed.

The Committee to Stop the Special Interest Water Grab, led by David Guy, president of the Northern California Water Association,… Read More