Peace activist Cindy Sheehan and an array of groups protesting state budget cuts are headed to the Capitol next week in a week-long event described as an "occupation." The idea is to call attention to the state's desperate need for new revenues.
From Brian Joseph in the OC Register: "Initially proposed by the California Teachers Associaiton, the occupation has expanded to include protesters with the California Alliance for Retired Americans and the fringe Peace and Freedom political party as well as peace organization Veterans for Peace and Peace of the Action, of which Sheehan is national director.
"Sheehan, speaking at a Thursday morning press conference at the State Capitol, was careful to say that the CTA’s actions will be “separate” from the other groups’ efforts, but added that she and the organizations are in “solidarity” with the teachers’ demands."
“We feel that education should be fully funded, that teachers and students shouldn’t have to pay the price for the horrible economy that’s the result of our war economy. It’s not just a federal issue, it’s a state issue,” Sheehan said. “Since Sept. 11, 2001, $150 billion have been sucked out of our state economy because of these wars on terror that the U.S. is waging around the world. We have our National Guard and reserves over in these fields. We need to bring them home, we need to bring our tax dollars back to California. We need to have a healthy economy. And we’re not just concerned about education, we’re concerned about everybody else that Jerry Brown calls the vulnerable.”
Tax receipts are coming in beyond expectations, but how long will that last? HealthyCal's Dan Weintraub and Michael Gardner take a look.
"The new money will erase part of the remaining $15 billion shortfall between what the state expects to spend and what it is likely to receive in tax payments over the next 14 months.
But it is probably too soon to tell whether the infusion of unexpected cash is a sign that the economy is taking off or a merely temporary surge that could disappear as quickly as it arrived."
"Although Gov. Jerry Brown will include the latest numbers in a revised budget plan he is scheduled to release next week, Brown is not expected to retreat from his call for extending about $11 billion in expired or expiring temporary tax increases."
"One reason: the governor has mapped a five-year plan for digging the state out of its deep fiscal hole. If he pulls back on that because of a month or two of good news on tax collections, the state could be facing a fresh deficit a year from now."
Throwing more fuel on the fire in the debate over California's business climate is a survey of CEOs who rank the state as the nation 's worst. The Bee's Mark Glover tells the tale.
"For the seventh year in a row, a survey of chief executives has ranked the Golden State as the nation's worst in which to do business."
"More than 500 U.S. CEOs polled by Greenwich, Conn.-based Chief Executive magazine based their opinions on numerous factors, including regulations, tax policies, work force quality, education resources, quality of living and infrastructure."
"ABC – Anywhere But California," said T.J. Rodgers, CEO of Cypress Semiconductor, a $668 million chip-making firm in San Jose. "It's expensive, it's hostile to business and environmental regulations are more of a drag on business than protecting the environment."
"Cypress Semiconductor, which also has overseas operations, said it once had 1,500 workers in California but is now down to about 600."
The CEOs may not like California, but when it comes to starting new businesses, Los Angeles is becoming Ground Zero for new operations that are getting launched without the benefit of business licenses. The LAT's Alexandra Schmidt has the story.
"Most operate without the required business licenses and are in violation of county zoning regulations."
"In trying economic times, businesses like these flourish, experts say. Across the Los Angeles area, underground entrepreneurs operate a variety of enterprises, including driveway tacquerias, at-home car washes and off-the-books tire stores."
"Aguilar says Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department deputies have shut down some of her friends' businesses, and she has received oral warnings from deputies to stop vending. She knows there's a possibility she could get into trouble, but she says it's a risk she has to take. She says she works hard and doesn't think she should be punished."
Meanwhile, with carpool perks coming to an end for hybrid vehicles, some drivers are going the all-electric route.
From Gary Richards in the Mercury News: "A new turf war is coming to a carpool lane near you, and this time Prius owners will be forced to watch from the slow lane.
"Starting July 1, those yellow carpool stickers cherished by hybrid owners will expire, but by early next year a new generation of super-clean vehicles sporting green and white stickers will be taking their place in the carpool lane."
The looming expiration date already has 85,000 hybrid drivers and their jealous commuter counterparts jockeying for position -- as the Department of Motor Vehicles mails out warnings this week that driving solo in the carpool lane will soon mean a $450 fine."
Andy and Thu Nguyen of Fremont are trading in their Prius for an all-electric Nissan Leaf just to keep the carpool perk."