A time-tested Christmas joke describes the four stages of life: First, you believe in Santa Clause. Second, you don’t believe in Santa Clause. Third, …
California Commentary
Tenacity Is the Secret to Taxpayer Success
After the passage of Proposition 13, Howard Jarvis became even more popular with average citizens. He would joke that overnight he went from being …
New Taxes Are Not Necessary
There is an old expression, “carrying coals to Newcastle,” to describe a useless activity or fool’s errand. Sort of like shipping pineapples to Hawaii …
Are Voters Starting to Grasp the Debt Crisis?
The former head of the United States Government Accountability Office (GAO) has estimated that the national debt is a staggering three times as much …
For What Are Taxpayers Thankful in 2015?
With the recent terror attacks against France, America’s oldest ally, most Americans are rightfully concerned for the welfare of our friends abroad as …
’Lawyer Tax’ on Real Estate Removed, For Now
Finally, those leaving property to their heirs will be able to avoid the expense of hiring an attorney. There is no need to make the inheritance of …
Tax Raisers Like Non-Voters
Did you know that there was an election last Tuesday? Not many voters did, and the tax-and-spend crowd likes it that way. In this little publicized …
It’s the Report Card Most Lawmakers Don’t Want You to See
Like inattentive students who dread having their parents see their unsatisfactory grades, most members of the California Legislature would just as …
It’s Scary Season Again
(Our Annual Update on How to Translate Your Property Tax Bill) For many the real scare this time of year is not the monsters at our doors on …
‘Cost of Service’ Principles Protect Ratepayers
Governor Brown's Attack on Prop 218 Is a Threat to the Middle Class Governor Brown has foolishly decided to poke a hornets’ nest with his signing …