We have a new Governor, a new budget plan and a new legislative session that just began. Needless to say, many very important issues will be discussed in Sacramento over the coming months.  The budget’s education initiatives would freeze UC and CSU tuition, make the first two years at community colleges free, make Cal-Grants more widely available and expand other aid programs. K-14 education funding would grow, including plans for universal preschool and efforts to help districts resolve their unfunded pension liabilities.  The budget includes a proposal to create a statewide purchasing… read more

As most of you know, Proposition 13 limits annual property tax increases to a maximum of 2% each year and continues to save California homeowners money ever since it was overwhelmingly passed by voters in 1978.  Unfortunately, proposals to weaken Prop. 13 protections are on the table this year. Under the ‘split roll’ proposal, Prop. 13 would remain in place for homeowners, but would be eliminated for many commercial properties; allowing their property taxes to increase beyond the 2% cap annually based on inflating market values.    In reality, it won’t be just business owners who are forced… read more

On January 7, 120 California legislators will assemble in the State Capitol to begin the 2019-2020 session.  Almost 3,000 bills will probably be introduced over the next few weeks. Some will be controversial, though I’m hoping that many important issues that face us, regardless of party, including disaster preparedness, water infrastructure, healthcare, transportation, education and many more, will generate bi-partisan solutions.  Proposals for new legislation must be submitted to the Legislative Counsel’s office by January 25 so that bill language can be drafted by February 22, this year’s… read more