Great assessment of public construction projects from @LATstevelopez in today's @latimes.
While many heads will nod in agreement, the hardcore railfans will insist that we continue building these without any solution to the underlying causes.
What a joke. Just buy everyone a Tesla. "Over $1 billion spent, few miles driven: How California's flagship clean transit initiative was hit by accusations of fraud and waste." @hjta.
Over $1 billion spent, few miles driven: How California's flagship clean transit initiative was hit...
A premier California green transportation initiative is roiled by accusations of fraud, waste and poor oversight. Offi...
www.latimes.com
The report described a “history of concern” about the department’s oversight of Medi‑Cal providers and classified it as “high-risk” for fraud, waste and abuse. https://cal.news/4B9MGPd
📸 Pablo Unzueta
Opinion: Editorial: High-speed rail project is gravy train for consultants
Editorial: High-speed rail project is gravy train for consultants
The $93 billion price jump is the real scandal.
www.ocregister.com
The Yes on RTM campaign has raised $8.7 million thus far. Here's a breakdown by donor category.
California state Proposition 1 may promise affordable housing, but there is little chance it will deliver.
https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2026/10/17/a-nearly-12b-bond-measure-on-november-ballot-promises-help-for-affordable-housing-in-san-diego/
Proposition 1 would add roughly $580 million per year in General Fund debt service for about 30 years — some $17.4 billion in principal and
Transit contractors, engineering firms and equipment suppliers have contributed more than $1.6 million to the Yes on RTM campaign.
I'm sure they are just donating for the good of humanity.
If Prop 40 (the Billionaire Tax) is "approved by voters in November, it’s unclear how much money the ballot initiative would raise, how quickly the funding would become available, and how lawmakers would spend it."
https://timesofsandiego.com/politics/2026/10/17/californias-billionaire-tax-promises-healthcare-relief-the-fine-print-is-murkier/
SD Taxpayers has read the fine print
If you think Proposition 13 isn't helping new homeowners, you don't know what their property tax bill would be without it.
Before Prop. 13, property was assessed at current market value every year, and the average tax rate was 2.67%.
Do the math on that at https://guessinggame.org
Unions representing transit workers have contributed $1.9 million to the YES on RTM campaign.
Their dues revenue come from your tax dollars.
Then they recycle it into campaigns to get you to pay more taxes and to further increase their dues revenue.
Absolutely insane!
Opinion: Jon Coupal: It’s not too late to save California
Jon Coupal: It’s not too late to save California
Remember, even the Berlin Wall came crashing down. It could happen here as well.
www.ocregister.com
The City of Los Angeles should fully fund the fire department without a sales tax increase, ahead of spending tax dollars to buy motels and remodel the Convention Center. The argument against Measure FD:
One city in LA County could reach a 12% sales tax rate if voters make the wrong decision in November. I believe this would be an all-time California record.
New from me in the @ladailynews.
Los Angeles County’s sales tax addiction is getting out of control
Los Angeles County residents already pay some of the nation’s highest sales tax rates.
www.dailynews.com
California's new software tax will hit restaurants hard, industry analyst says. "Tools restaurants rely on daily, including point-of-sale systems, scheduling software, payroll platforms, and inventory management systems, will generally become taxable."
California's 2027 Software Tax: A Restaurant Operator's Checklist
California's SB 122 changes how many SaaS products are taxed in 2027. Restaurant operators can prepare now by revi...
www.eisneramper.com
"Proposition 43 would make it harder to raise local taxes, such as sales taxes, by restoring an important taxpayer protection that voters overwhelmingly approved in 1978 with the passage of Proposition 13. In a series of court decisions beginning nine years ago, Proposition 13’s
Californians have already approved these limits twice, only to have courts erode the will of the electorate.
Endorsement: Back Prop. 43 to restore voter-approved restrictions on local taxes
Californians have already approved these limits twice, only to have courts erode the will of the electorate.
www.mercurynews.com
Medi-Cal has expanded to a $218 billion program: the state's largest. So you'd think the State would invest adequately in program integrity. But that is not what the State Auditor found. Plenty of waste, fraud, and abuse and not a lot of people trying to root it out.
The California Billionaire Tax Act (Proposition 40), which imposes a one-time 5 percent tax on billionaires’ net worth, is vulnerable to numerous constitutional challenges, any of which could invalidate the tax in whole or in part.
Read more:
Constitutional Flaws of California’s Proposed Wealth Tax
The California Billionaire Tax Act (CBTA) is vulnerable to a range of legal challenges on numerous grounds and on multiple levels.
hubs.ly
Opinion: The California billionaire tax’s ever-shifting goalposts
The California billionaire tax’s ever-shifting goalposts
The text may call it a one-time tax, but if the ones driving the measure have their way, it won’t be.
www.ocregister.com
Why are California taxpayers paying to fly high-speed rail consultants to work?
California High-Speed Rail consultants commute from out of state on taxpayers' dime, receipts show
Receipts also reveal a 23% pay increase for a key Denver-based consultant after Ian Coudri became CEO.
www.cbsnews.com
Opinion: The Exhausted Taxpayer’s Guide to the California Ballot, November 2026 edition
The Exhausted Taxpayer’s Guide to the California Ballot, November 2026 edition
Polling places and more information can be found at voterstatus.sos.ca.gov.
www.ocregister.com
Sales taxes in Berkeley (and the rest of the Bay Area) are out of step with most of country.
Why is this okay, and how long will politicians and interest groups continue to "boil the frog"?
New column: California's ballot propositions fuel its longstanding tax-and-spending war
California's ballot propositions fuel its longstanding tax-and-spending war
Until Proposition 13, California voters let elected officials decide taxes and spending options. Now, 48 years later, ...
calmatters.org
Opinion: Jon Coupal: It’s not too late to save California
Jon Coupal: It’s not too late to save California
Remember, even the Berlin Wall came crashing down. It could happen here as well.
www.ocregister.com
Opinion: California’s wealth tax proposal undermines our entrepreneurial spirit
California’s wealth tax proposal undermines our entrepreneurial spirit
For generations, California was where the American Dream came true.
www.ocregister.com
One thing to consider as you decide how to vote on California state and local bonds. Because interest rates went up recently, debt service costs on these bonds may be significantly more than amounts estimated in your ballot guide.
The Legislature and Governor Gavin Newsom approved $14.3 billion in annual tax and fee increases during the 2025-26 legislative session after lawmakers considered more than $803 billion in tax and fee hikes, the California Tax Foundation reported today.
https://www.caltax.org/foundation/reports/20261014-Tax-and-Fee-Report.pdf
Prop 43 // Two-Thirds Vote Requirement for Local Special Tax Initiatives and Property Tax Initiative Prohibition Amendment
Yes. Prop 43 raises the bar for special taxes from a simple majority to a two-thirds vote. We love this. Thank you, next.
Wondering where your #propertytax dollars go?
For every $1 in general property tax revenue in the 2024-25 fiscal year:
💰 53.5¢ supports Schools
💰 14.1¢ goes to Counties
💰 12.2¢ funds Cities
💰 20.0¢ supports other Local Services
Learn more: https://bit.ly/BOE_2024-25_AnnualReport
What a joke. Just buy everyone a Tesla. "Over $1 billion spent, few miles driven: How California's flagship clean transit initiative was hit by accusations of fraud and waste." @hjta.
Over $1 billion spent, few miles driven: How California's flagship clean transit initiative was hit...
A premier California green transportation initiative is roiled by accusations of fraud, waste and poor oversight. Offi...
www.latimes.com
Disgusting. "Inside Gavin Newsom's taxpayer-funded team that never stops posting." Stop whining about budget shortfalls. @hjta
Inside Gavin Newsom's taxpayer-funded team that never stops posting
Gavin Newsom has been a Twitch stream guest, a Substacker, a Tiktoker and a podcast bro. Here’s how he’s use...
calmatters.org
The truth about Prop. 43: Don’t fall for the fearmongering
The truth about Prop. 43: Don’t fall for the fearmongering
A great deal of overstatement can be expected in any political contest, but when it comes to the predictions of ...
www.ocregister.com
Prop 43: Stop Getting Steamrolled by Special Taxes. @hjta.
Prop 43: Stop Getting Steamrolled by Special Taxes
By James Fenkner, CFA
open.substack.com
Truth from @DanCALmatters: "Tilting California voters toward raising local taxes often involves tricks, manipulation." @hjta.
Tilting California voters toward raising local taxes often involves tricks, manipulation
Municipalities and school districts can't legally spend tax dollars pushing ballot measures. But many do, calling it information outreach.
calmatters.org
Jon Coupal: Modest pension reform survives in California. @hjta.
Jon Coupal: Modest pension reform survives in California
In vetoing AB 1383, Governor Newsom said, “This is an era of California history I do not wish to repeat.”
www.ocregister.com
We're number 1! We're number 1! Aren't you proud to be a Californian? "Gas Taxes by State, 2026." . @hjta.
Comparing 2026 Gas Taxes by State
California levies the highest state gas tax at 73.6 cents per gallon, followed by Illinois and Indiana. Explore 2026 gas taxes by state.
taxfoundation.org
Agreed. This was a surprise. "Credit to the California Governor for vetoing legislation that would have raised pensions for public-safety unions and mortgaged state taxpayers even more than they already are." @hjta. via @WSJopinion
Opinion | Gavin Newsom’s Finest Hour
The California Governor vetoes a bill that would have gutted pension reforms.
www.wsj.com
As we predicted in 2008: "Some 18 years after California voted to launch a train that would travel between San Francisco and Los Angeles in under three hours, the project has yet to lay its first track." @hjta. via @WSJ
Years Late, Billions Over Budget: California’s High-Speed Rail Hasn’t Laid a Track
A push now aims to jump-start the project, but there are skeptics.
www.wsj.com
The problem gets worse every election cycle. "California’s ballot argument rules give tax proponents an unfair advantage." @hjta.
California’s ballot argument rules give tax proponents an unfair advantage
This year’s California county voter information guides will once again display a serious inequity.
www.ocregister.com
Good take on the absurdity of the state budget by @DanCALmatters. "California's budget is so convoluted that even experts are perplexed at what it contains." @hjta.
California's budget is so convoluted that even experts are perplexed at what it contains
California's budget has become opaque, and the plan itself is a hodgepodge of phantom revenues, accounting gimmicks and off-the-books loans.
calmatters.org
BEWARE THE ONSLAUGHT OF "GUT & AMEND" BILLS! Both chambers have voted to waive the rules so that committees can hear these new bills, during the busy final days of the session, while the Legislature is also rushing to pass bills on the floor. What a corrupt process! @hjta.
The biggest obstacle to economic and fiscal sanity: "California’s Billion-Dollar Union Machine." . @hjta.
California’s Billion-Dollar Union Machine
How public-sector unions harvest taxpayer cash and rule the state
www.city-journal.org
My latest @ocregister column. Jon Coupal: Wealth disparities are no excuse for Marxism. @hjta.
Jon Coupal: Wealth disparities are no excuse for Marxism
For those desiring a society where wealth disparities are virtually non-existent, a trip to North Korea would be educational.
www.ocregister.com
What Is Gavin Newsom Hiding?
What Is Gavin Newsom Hiding?
The governor presides over a statewide culture of secrecy.
disq.us
Did politicians forget the pension crisis of 2010 or do they just not care? Maybe it's the union $$$ that motivates them. "Lawmakers set to give more lavish pension benefits to state’s highest-paid workers." @hjta.
Lawmakers set to give more lavish pension benefits to state’s highest-paid workers
Assembly Bill 1383 is a taxpayer-funded handout to highly compensated, long-tenured employees that won’t attract or ...
www.ocregister.com
It's not about the students. It's about sustaining an ossified, corrupt bureaucracy. "Los Angeles Schools Run Out of Other People’s Money." by Allysia Finley via @WSJopinion @hjta.
Opinion | Los Angeles Schools Run Out of Other People’s Money
A Covid hiring binge and lavish union contracts leave the district on the verge of going broke.
www.wsj.com
Opinion [and fact]: "California’s pension funds are rigged to stick taxpayers with the bill." @hjta. via @sfstandard
Opinion: California’s pension funds are rigged to stick taxpayers with the bill
AB 1383 would let CalPERS and CalSTRS keep lowballing what they ask public employees to pay, leaving taxpayers to cover the gap — again.
sfstandard.com
Jon Coupal: The two-thirds vote requirement for taxes is fair @hjta.
Jon Coupal: The two-thirds vote requirement for taxes is fair
As this nation’s first Chief Justice, John Marshall, noted in 1819, “The power to tax is the power to destroy.”
www.ocregister.com
Endorsement: Yes on Proposition 43, make it harder to raise taxes @hjta.
Endorsement: Yes on California Proposition 43, make it harder to raise taxes
As it stands, the final measure is praiseworthy, as it puts the brakes on local governments’ ability to collude ...
www.ocregister.com
Prop 3: The Forever Tax https://open.substack.com/pub/californiacurrent/p/prop-3-the-forever-tax?r=1vuxk&utm_campaign=post-expanded-share&utm_medium=web
Wonderful. Should really help L.A.'s reputation heading into the Olympics. "The Typhus Rats of Los Angeles @hjta.
The Typhus Rats of Los Angeles
A medieval disease is rocking the vermin-ridden county.
www.city-journal.org
Let's not forget this. "As high-speed rail cost estimate soars, state lawmakers move to hide information from taxpayers." @hjta.
As high-speed rail cost estimate soars, state lawmakers move to hide information from taxpayers
The California high-speed rail system’s price tag continues to grow, even though there is little hope that Califor...
www.ocregister.com
Progressives' assault against Direct Democracy rights reaching new heights. "These days the collusive trusts with the most power are between government and special interests that rely on ever-higher taxes and spending." via @WSJopinion. @hjta.
Opinion | Democrats Turn Against Direct Democracy
They’re using courts and legislative tricks to block citizen initiatives.
www.wsj.com
California falls behind Texas in Fortune 500 ranking
California falls behind Texas in Fortune 500 ranking
This year, 57 of the top companies are headquartered in Texas, compared with California’s 56. It’s a reversal ...
www.latimes.com
CA Governor Candidate Steve Hilton Says 'Enough Is Enough' via @YouTube
The secret about Prop. 13 hiding in plain sight. "Jon Coupal: Prop. 13 richly funds local governments while protecting taxpayers. @hjta.
Jon Coupal: Prop. 13 richly funds local governments while protecting taxpayers
Unfortunately, praise for Prop. 13 rarely comes from local government officials, even those who know how Proposition 13 helps them.
www.ocregister.com
Good @dwalters piece. "California has a top-ranked economy. It’s also one of the nation’s most unequal." So, is wealth inequality correlated with progressivism? Seems like it. @hjta.
California has a top-ranked economy. It’s also one of the nation’s most unequal
If the next governor and legislators are serious about improving the state’s standing, they should dive into the details.
www.ocregister.com
Businesses and homeowners are susceptible to rapacious politicians when there is no local taxpayer organization. "CA's County Taxpayer Groups Are an Endangered Species - The Free Market Movement Should Save Them." @hjta. https://californiaglobe.com/fr/californias-county-taxpayer-groups-are-an-endangered-species-the-free-market-movement-should-save-them/
John Seiler: Public financing of elections is a terrible idea. No on Prop. 4. “Public financing just opens government to one more area of corruption,” Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association President Jon Coupal told me. @hjta.
John Seiler: Public financing of elections is a terrible idea. No on Prop. 4.
“Public financing just opens government to one more area of corruption”
www.ocregister.com