Compared to prior years, the resolution of the 2006-2007 California state budget was a relatively benign affair. True, it was still late, as the constitutional deadline was June 15th. But like the line from the first Pirates of the Caribbean movie, this constitutional provision has always been treated more like a "guideline," not a firm rule. (This alone tells us a lot about the fidelity to constitutional principles held by our ruling elites).  Read more >>

What do thousands receiving Hurricane Katrina payouts from FEMA, thousands more receiving child care benefits in California and outgoing Long Beach Mayor Beverly O'Neill have in common?

They all are getting stuff they don't deserve.

When most of us were in school, we were required to take a civics class. We learned about the structure of government, how laws are passed, and the role of political parties in the process.  Read more >>

Members of the state's largest government workers union have been threatening to strike, although a tentative deal may now dissuade them. The 87,000 state employees represented by the Service Employees International Union include janitors, accountants, prison cooks and those who work for the Department of Motor Vehicles. They have gone without a raise for three years and want to be "shown the money."

Private sector workers can sympathize. Some of them, too, have gone without raises for years, and everyone would like more money to pay their gasoline bills.  Read more >>

Justifiably, taxpayers rejoiced over last week's defeat of statewide measures Propositions 81 and 82. Both were dangerous, silly proposals that would have resulted in more debt and higher taxes. But perhaps the most significant outcome of California's primary comes from a local race in Orange County. There, Orange County Treasurer John Moorlach prevailed in his bid to join the Board of Supervisors.  Read more >>

As part of their never-ending campaign for increased pay and benefits for government workers, public employee union leaders do their best to discredit any individual or group they see standing in their way.  Read more >>