California’s Women’s Political Mud Wrestling Squad
By Peter Schrag
The California Republican Party is still dominated by white males, both in its leadership and in its rank and file. But when it comes to political eye-gouging and no-holds-barred knees-to-the-groin campaign combat, there’s little glass ceiling left. Whatever shards Sarah Palin had missed, Meg Whitman and Carly Fiorina took care of them last week.
Both are also showing that they can be manipulated, suckered and exploited by political consultants as shamefully as the guys. Since both are also multi-millionaires as well as arrogant and eminently pluckable, is it any wonder that voters have nothing but contempt for the people who want to be their leaders?
SB 918 (Pavley) - Safe, Environmentally Sound Water Supply
By Traci Sheehan
Planning and Conservation League
Last Friday, Senator Fran Pavley introduced SB 918 which is currently co-sponsored by the Planning and Conservation League and Water Reuse California . This bill would help improve the availability of safe recycled drinking water by requiring the Department of Public Health to develop and adopt uniform health standards. If passed, the bill will help California develop a new drought-proof source of safe, clean water.
Assemblymember Block - Bill Closes Cayman Island Tax Loopholes
By Assemblymember Marty Block
One of my top priorities when I came to the Assembly was to eliminate corporate tax loopholes.
With a grim economy and no-win budget choices, it’s clear that making big business pay their fair share of state tax is more important than ever.
To do this I’ve introduced the Cayman Islands Tax Loophole Bill, AB 1178.
You might have heard about a single building in the Cayman Islands that houses almost 19,000 shell corporations.
Corporations transfer their profits to these fake companies so they don’t have to pay taxes.
Meanwhile, the rest of us get stuck paying more for the services our state needs.
Look at college students and their families.
For too long now they’ve struggled to afford higher education in our state – the higher education needed to attract jobs and keep vital industries here at home in California.
Textbook prices are through the roof. And students just got hit with yet another fee increase so they pay more now for fewer classes.
That’s not right.