This article has garnered so much attention since I posted it on Facebook yesterday, I want to make sure you all have a chance to read it. It shatters some of the "myths" that we continually hear about how much better California fares - in education (both K-12 and higher education), safety issues, infrastructure and healthcare.
CLICK HERE TO READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE
The truth is, in spite of substantially higher taxes, California rates behind similarly large states, Texas and Florida, in all these categories.
Jon Coupal, President of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association, rightly places the cause on the stranglehold of public sector unions in California. We agree.
With a legislature literally controlled by public unions, California taxpayers are on the hook to maintain a broken pension system.
"Pension reform", as I was once told by our Assemblyman Marc Levine, are words not dared to be uttered in the California Legislature. He certainly hasn't shown to be the one courageous enough to break that practice of silence.
All eyes on are on the California Supreme Court. With the recent, rather muddled opinion in the latest Appeals Court decision in Alameda's case, labor unions are optimistic that the California Rule will continue unimpaired.
If they are correct, expect even higher taxes, bridge tolls, rates and fees, crumbling roads and fewer safety employees, teachers and school staff members.
It will also signal that the only way to get the attention required to turn things around is to vote NO on every single tax - no matter what it purports to support, including local schools.
For the long-term sustainability of this state, it must begin with a sustainable public pension system.
Regards,
Jody
CSPP