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

Here’s acrucialmisconception by the public. It’s a misunderstanding that leads to calls for government mandates such as a $15 minimum wage — with the cost supposedly paid out of “greedy business” profits.

A poll asked:“Just a rough guess, what percent profit on each dollar of sales do you think the average company makes after taxes?”

The average response –36%. That’s aboutFIVE TIMES the actual figure. Other polls give similar results.

The latest average profit margin of 212 industries was 7.5%. The median profit margin was 6.5%.

To state the obvious: Given that labor costs constitute 30% or more of the sales dollar for most industries, the cost of a $15 minimum wage will HAVE to be paid by the customers.

BTW, the latest profit margin for hated Walmart? 3.1%.

Share this info with friends AND enemies. Let’s raise the economic awareness of America.… Read More

Governor Jerry Brown and Senate Pro Tem Kevin DeLeon today announced a tentative deal to raise California’s minimum wage to $15 per hour.

Contrary to conventional wisdom, this dramatic wage hike won’t hurt millionaires and billionaires. It will hurt lower and middle class Californians, especially those who live in inner cities and rural areas.

Entry-level and low-skilled workers, including young people, will find it more difficult to find jobs, pay for childcare, and eat out. Employers will hire fewer workers and instead turn to automation.

In a state as economically and culturally diverse as California, it’s a shame that our elected officials don’t realize that a one-size-fits-all approach to combating poverty won’t work in our state. Not every city is San Francisco.… Read More

Californians should be aware of a legislative attack on Proposition 13 known as “split roll.”

Prop 13, of course, is the landmark law that protects home and business owners from out-of-control property taxes. Prop 13 has worked well since voters approved it in 1978, but that hasn’t stopped some interest groups and politicians from trying to unravel it.

These folks believe government doesn’t collect enough money and think it’s a good idea to raise taxes on commercial property owners. Hence the name “split roll”; the idea is to treat commercial and residential property differently on tax rolls.

The latest version of this bad idea is embodied in Senate Constitutional Amendment 5, authored by Senators Loni Hancock (D – Oakland) and Holly Mitchell (D – Culver City). Proponents recently called off an effort to qualify a ballot measure this year, but they will try again in the future.

While “split roll” sounds like something pleasant you’d order from a local restaurant, in reality it’s a clever piece of class warfare draped in populism. If split roll were to pass, it would do a great deal of harm to California. Removing Prop 13… Read More

This piece was originally published at the San Diego Union Tribune.

In its 38-year history, Proposition 13 has been under constant assault. The attacks have come from the Legislature, the media and especially the courts. After initially being upheld against a myriad of constitutional challenges, the California Supreme Court then began punching loopholes in the landmark tax reform measure.

Prop 13 was intended, first and foremost, to limit out-of-control property tax increases that were forcing tens of thousands of Californians out of their homes. It did this by imposing a 1 percent cap on the base property tax known as the ad valorem tax and limiting subsequent increases to 2 percent annually. But Howard Jarvis and the voters were well aware how creative local governments could be in dreaming up new kinds of taxes to make up for the tax relief conferred on property owners by Prop 13. For that reason, it also imposed a two-thirds vote requirement on other local taxes. Today, because of court rulings and… Read More

California businesses are increasingly being pushed to participate in economic boycotts of anything to do with Israel. The insidious, growing “boycott, divestment and sanctions” movement absurdly claims that Israel practices apartheid.

Followers of the BDS movement paint Israel as vicious and evil, and say it should be discarded from American investments.

The BDS movement even calls for universities to divest from companies associated with Israel, and has perpetuated the growing anti-Semitism movement lurking on California college campuses. Attacking the State of Israel has become a convenient pretext for the expression of anti-Jewish bigotry.

Since taking shape in 2001, when non-governmental organizations and activists prompted by the Palestinian Authority hijacked a United Nations conference on racism, the BDS movement has sought to convince others to attack Israel and its partners through economic, political and cultural means.

Assemblyman Travis Allen, R-Huntington Beach, introduced… Read More

Hoh boy.

It appears that the California state legislature, the governor and the labor unions have “struck a deal” that will raise the state’s minimum wage to $15. No stinkin’ proposition will be required to enact this requirement into law, with a simple (Democrat) legislative majority easily attainable.

The minimum wage (now $10 an hour) will rise in stages, hitting the cherished $15 mark in 2022, and rising to match inflation after that. Very small businesses will have an extra year to comply. http://www.sacbee.com/news/politics-government/capitol-alert/article68497532.html

Doubtless automation firms are wildly cheering this step towards the Workers’ Paradise so long sought by progressives. State economic development departments around the nation will also be “popping the bubbly,” delighted with California’s relentless efforts to drive businesses out of the state. This $15 minimum wage pretty much ensures we will expand and deepen our permanent underclass of unemployed in California — with heightened… Read More