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…)
Rohnert Park City Manager Visits Association
Posted by scta | Filed under Speakers
Rohnert Park’s new city manager Gabe Gonzalez visited the Association at its meeting on November 17 and addressed many of the changes going on in Rohnert Park. Having come to Rohnert Park from the City of Mendota in August, 2010, Gonzales inherited a city on the verge of bankruptcy with only 18 months’ worth of cash available and struggling under the burden of unsustainable employee wage and benefit contracts. (more…)
The Ugly Truth about Pension Reform
Posted by scta | Filed under Public Employee Pensions
Any pension reform proposal that hopes to make a meaningful positive impact on a public employer’s budget must address the cost of pensions for current employees. Since the main reason for the current problem is the excessive benefits, the most logical solution is to modify and reduce those benefits. (more…)
Talk About Deception
Posted by scta | Filed under SMART
A recent PD editorial claims deception on the part of those wishing to repeal SMART’s Measure Q, the quarter cent sales tax. The actual deception has come from the SMART District itself. (more…)
Legislature Trying to Sneak One By
Posted by scta | Filed under Legislative Activity
AB 29 x 1 is a trailer attached to the 2011-2012 state budget which is still in process after Gov. Brown’s veto. It’s a bill giving Cal Fire the right to set an annual “fire prevention fee” of $150 per structure on any property in their fire responsibility area, statewide. Their justification is that protecting structures costs them dollars and they want this funding for education and prevention.
Calling it a fee prevents us from voting on it. (more…)