Churchill on Pensions
Posted by Dan | Filed under Public Employee Pensions
Association member Ken Churchill has produced another examination of the Sonoma County pension crises. To read his report, click here.
Dear Governor, Straight Talk Please
Posted by Dan | Filed under Ballot Measures, Public Employee Pensions
Anyone not living under a rock these days is well aware of the financial straits facing state and local governments. Teachers and public employees laid off or furloughed, fundamental government services such as health care, child care, senior services, veterans services, services for the poor and disabled, primary, secondary and higher education, parks, recreation, roads, you name it. All have been eliminated or reduced to skeletal remains of their former selves. And while blame for the current malaise may be laid at many a doorstep from (more…)
Annual Meeting Set for February 16
Posted by Dan | Filed under Uncategorized
Make your reservations now for the 2012 annual general membership meeting of the Sonoma County Taxpayers’ Association. We are particularly privileged to have as our guest speaker Dan Walters, syndicated columnist for the Sacramento Bee. Mr. Walters’ insights and observations into the goings-on in Sacramento and around the state are always informative and entertaining. We are also pleased to present the Spencer Flournoy Good Government Award to Rohnert Park City Manager Gabe Gonzalez in recognition of his successful efforts to renegotiate that city’s labor contracts as well as other financial reforms to a city on the verge of bankruptcy. The meeting starts at noon at the Fountaingrove Inn in Santa Rosa on February 16. Cost is $35 and lunch is provided. The annual meeting is always well attended so make your reservations early by calling the Association at 481-1089 or e-mailing to taxpayer@sonic.net.
Roads Sacrificed to Save Pensions
Posted by Dan | Filed under Uncategorized
Anyone with a passing familiarity with rural Sonoma County knows that the deterioration of our roads is reaching crisis levels. The sorry state of our crumbling county road system is directly correlated to insufficient funding for road maintenance and preservation. (more…)
Measure to curb union, corporate clout qualifies
Posted by Dan | Filed under Ballot Measures
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – California Republican interests have qualified a ballot measure that would severely curb the political influence of public and private employee unions while depriving Democratic political candidates of a major source of campaign cash. The measure, which bans political contributions through payroll deductions, qualified Tuesday (December 6) for the November 2012 statewide ballot. With labor’s primary funding source under attack, the measure sets up an expensive campaign season ahead for both sides. (more…)
Government Spending Limit Act of 2012 Filed for November Ballot
Posted by Dan | Filed under Ballot Measures
SACRAMENTO – A Constitutional Amendment to update and strengthen California’s 1979 Gann Spending Limit was filed with the Attorney General today (December 6). Sponsors include the California Taxpayers Association, the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association and the Small Business Action Committee. The groups intend to qualify the measure, titled the “Government Spending Limit Act of 2012,” for the November, 2012 general election ballot. (more…)