Unions and grass-roots organizers are considering an effort to, over Gov. Brown's objections, extend the higher taxes that the governor persuaded voters to go along with in 2012. They are also pondering a proposal to alter the state's landmark restrictions on property taxes, to raise more revenue from commercial interests. In addition, billionaire environmentalist Tom
April is the most important month for the state budget, due to its over-reliance on personal income taxes, and every indication points to a strong flow of revenues. But it creates a political problem for Gov. Jerry Brown. Scarcely a day passes without the Legislature’s budget subcommittees hearing emotional pleas for more aid from advocates
There's a classic economic paradox about the price of water and value, and it comes from Adam Smith: Why do diamonds cost more than water? The comparison is meant to demonstrate how pricing works—that even though water is essential for human survival, our economy puts prices on things based on scarcity and value (and marginal
The Legislature enacted Chapter 835, Statutes of 2014 (SB 1077, DeSaulnier), to study the feasibility of a “road usage charge”—an amount charged to individuals for each mile they drive. Such a charge is also sometimes referred to as a “mileage based user fee.” Several states have begun exploring the idea of funding their transportation systems
California voters think the government should spend more money to help maintain crumbling roads, but they offer mixed views on how to fund the upkeep, according to a new statewide Field Poll. More than 70 percent think state and local officials should dedicate additional resources to existing roadways. By a smaller margin, 48 percent to
American science, long a source of national power and pride, is increasingly becoming a private enterprise. In Washington, budget cuts have left the nation’s research complex reeling. Labs are closing. Scientists are being laid off. Projects are being put on the shelf, especially in the risky, freewheeling realm of basic research. Yet from Silicon Valley