Archive for California
Recent Stories for California
Prop. 13 Property Taxes in The Voters' Hands
Category: Taxes · State: California · Source: San Francisco Chronicle
Thirty years ago today, California voters overwhelmingly approved Proposition 13 as a way to keep seniors from losing their homes to skyrocketing property taxes. But the 1978 vote also ignited a revolution that dramatically changed the way people across America look at government and taxes. The grassroots initiative has saved California property owners billions of dollars since it was passed, but the shackles Prop. 13 put on the ability of state and local governments to increase taxes could turn out to be its most important legacy. Even today, with the state facing a $17 billion budget shortfall, tax increases face certain opposition from many legislators and voters.
Public Health District Seeks $589 Million
Category: Taxes · State: California · Source: San Diego Union-Tribune
Tri-City Healthcare District directors will ask voters to approve a $589 million bond issue in what could be the largest mail-in ballot measure in county history. The balloting will be done in August, for bonds intended to raise money for expansions and upgrades at Tri-City Medical Center in Oceanside. The measure represents a third try for the public health care district that operates the Oceanside hospital. In two previous elections - in June and November 2006 - bond issues for $596 million each failed to receive the necessary approval of two-thirds of the voters.
State: Man Used Petition Info For Romance
Category: Crime · State: California · Source: KCRA News
A Sacramento man is accused of using address information from petitions to pursue a romantic encounter with a woman without her consent, the office of Secretary of State Debra Bowen said. The District Attorney's office has charged petition circulator John Edward James of Sacramento with one count of misusing petition signatures and another charge of perjury for allegedly falsifying the signature collection date on one of his petitions. James was scheduled to be arraigned in Sacramento Superior Court on Friday afternoon. "By all accounts, this is an isolated incident of someone misusing signature information, but voters should know that elections officials vigorously guard their private information," Bowen said in a prepared statement.
Obscure Public Agency Funding Campaigns
Category: Eminent Domain · State: California · Source: California Republic
Most informed voters are aware that there are only two measures on the statewide ballot next week. Prop 98 is supported by the California Farm Bureau Federation, Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association, National Federation of Independent Business, the California Association of Realtors and a host of other interests seeking to preserve and defend property rights in California. The other measure, Prop 99, was put on the ballot through funding almost exclusively through associations of government entities -- the lion's share from the League of California Cities. The irony in this initiative battle is that the government interests have repeatedly accused the property rights interests of having a "hidden agenda" simply by including a phase out of rent regulations along with eminent domain reform. Rather than hidden, the provisions dealing with price controls on property are prominent and appear near the very beginning of the measure. Indeed, references to these provisions are replete through the ballot pamphlet.
Group Seeks Delay In Gay Marriage Ruling
Category: Marriage · State: California · Source: NBC 11
A group opposed to same-sex marriage asked the California Supreme Court to delay the effect of its historic marriage ruling until after a statewide vote on a constitutional amendment in November. The Proposition 22 Legal Defense and Education Fund argued in its request for a stay that allowing gay and lesbian weddings before November "risks legal havoc" because the amendment, if approved, would overturn the court's ruling.
Monthly Archives for California
- June 2008 (3)
- May 2008 (4)
- April 2008 (1)
- December 2007 (11)
- November 2007 (49)
- October 2007 (14)