Welcome to the October Law and Business issue of NorthBay biz magazine. This month’s stories focus on the pros and cons of several of the business-related propositions that will go before the voters in November. In addition, this issue features a special report on the status of health and medicine in the North Bay. Coupled with all our regular features and columnists, we hope you agree that NorthBay biz is the voice of North Bay business, often delivering local business information, insights and news unavailable anywhere else.
Over the past two days, the front-page headlines in the Press Democrat read, “A Plan for Paths” and “State Could Be First to Sack Plastic Bags.” My reaction to reading this was visceral. No criticism of the PD is intended, but rather an indictment of the politicians running this state. What the hell are they thinking? Apparently, spending another $250 million we don’t have on biking and hiking trails takes priority over job creation and passing a balanced budget. And won’t it just tickle the control freaks and do-gooders in Sacramento to be the first state to ban plastic bags while costing consumers millions in extra costs in the middle of our prolonged economic downturn?
Also, apparently California is planning a Green Chemistry Initiative to regulate chemicals of concern in consumer products made or sold in California. My question is why, when we already have myriad existing agencies performing this function, including the EPA, FDA and Prop. 65? The Department of Toxic Substance Control is completing the rules to make this new agency a reality. What do you think will result from the creation of this duplicitous, unnecessary agency? You choose: Will it trigger innovation and new investment creating new jobs while improving consumer safety, or will it increase prices to the consumer by adding more unnecessary regulations resulting in a loss of jobs by making California businesses less competitive?
How about this one? According to the Tax Foundation, property values fell 16 percent from 2007 to 2008. Since property tax rates are based on a percentage of a home’s value, it should follow that homeowners would pay less. Guess again. Nationwide, property tax revenues increased 4.2 percent. Only four states saw their property tax revenues decrease. California’s 2008 property tax increase was 7.6 percent. Hmmn, seems strange, but I’m sure there’s a logical explanation for a 7.6 percent increase in property taxes when home values fell 16 percent. Our elected representatives and the attendant bloated bureaucracy always works in our best interest…doesn’t it?
For quite a while now (and certainly over the past year) both Washington and Sacramento have been telling us that job creation is their number one priority. Let’s see how that’s been working out. The California unemployment rate in January 2009 was 9.7 percent. Eighteen months later, on June 30, 2010, unemployment stood at 12.3 percent according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Thank goodness the $23 billion California received in stimulus funds worked.
In a slightly different and more current timeframe, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that, from August 2009 to August 2010, 31 states had a net job gain while 19 states lost jobs. (It’s nice to know that a recovery is taking place somewhere in the country.) Guess which state was the biggest winner and which was the biggest loser? You’re right. Texas created 134,600 new jobs in that 12-month period and California suffered a net loss of 103,900 jobs. California politicians promised their policies would create jobs and, for a change, they haven’t lied to us. In the future though, we need to be more specific. Their policies need to create jobs right here in California—not in other states.
The ruling elite just refuses to “get it.” I can’t fathom their disconnect with the majority of Americans on issue after issue—bailouts, health care, immigration, company takeovers, spending, taxes, regulations and redistribution of wealth to name just a few. All calculated in an unprecedented fashion to acquire complete control and power over every detail of our lives.
The “change” the country is looking for isn’t about remaking America into something else, but instead about recapturing the essence of what’s made this country great. It isn’t about dividing people by class, race, sex, ethnicity or political party. It’s about bringing people together and ensuring they have equal opportunity—not trying to do the impossible by guaranteeing equal outcomes. Social policy can’t pass as economic policy.
Our elected officials have it within their power to reset agendas and restore what made the nation and California a place where dreams could become reality in a single lifetime. Create jobs, restore confidence and get the hell out of the way of the people who want to achieve. Californians definitely want change and are willing to work for it. Come this November and all the elections thereafter, think before you vote. What kind of leader do you want? Forget political parties—let’s vote into office folks who respond to what’s best for the state, the nation and us. Let’s give the boot to the career pols who knuckle under to every special interest and only care about preserving their own power.
We’re on the wrong path right now. Socialism, collectivism and all the other “isms” that come with totalitarian government has failed every time it’s been tried and at terrible human cost. Our country, “conceived in liberty,” followed the blueprint laid down in the Constitution, whose tenants lead America to become the richest, strongest beacon of liberty the world has ever known. Let’s get back to that.
That’s it for now. Enjoy this month’s magazine.
