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After the Defeat of Measure Q: What Went Right?

by David R. Henderson,
an exclusive for City Watch

When the proponents of a tax increase for Natividad Hospital were making their case in the fall of 2003, many of them predicted that without that tax increase, Natividad would go out of business. The tax was defeated. Now here we are, almost two years later and Natividad is still in business. What went right?

League of CA Cities Report: New State Budget is Good News for Cities & Counties

The League of California Cities and local government officials received a very welcome surprise on July 6, when Gov. Schwarzenegger and legislative leaders announced a budget agreement that includes full funding of Proposition 42 transportation projects, and full, early repayment of the $1.2 billion Vehicle License Fee (VLF) gap loan. One day later, the budget was passed.

City and county officials throughout the state greeted with surprise and enthusiasm the news that full repayment of the VLF gap loan would come one year early.

June 2005 in Review: Salinas City Budget & More Taxes

by City Watch
Bulletin & Website Committee

Want to know how Salinas City government is spending your money? You wouldn't have seen the big picture at any June 2005 budget meeting. The City Council approved over $114 million in spending and tax-hike crusaders hatched a scheme for more taxes. These and more were hot issues in the month of June.

HJTA Report: The California Tax Revenue Windfall

by Jon Coupal

The California tax revenue windfall... for local government officials, it is the major topic of conversation. They are delighted that the hot real estate market is providing billions of additional dollars to county and city coffers around the state.

However, you'll have to pardon us if we don't join the celebration just yet.

PLF Report: U.S. Supreme Court Rules that City Officials Can Seize Homes

On June 23, a divided U.S. Supreme Court ruled¹that local governments can use the power of eminent domain to force homeowners and small businesses off of their land so that their properties can be handed over to higher tax-generating shopping malls and office complexes.

Editorial: 'How to get a city to do its job'

by Andrew F. Bender,
an exclusive for City Watch

We already know that to get big bucks for some pet project or other, including one-time festivals, it takes a short and effective presentation to the City Council by anyone with "proper credentials". But what does it take to get a terribly bad road fixed in Salinas?

Special Report: Salinas Budget Luncheon Became Campaign for More Taxes

by City Watch
Website & Bulletin Committee

On Tuesday, May 31, the Salinas Valley Chamber of Commerce held a well advertised but sparsely attended public luncheon on the Salinas City budget at the Salinas Sports Complex.

The luncheon failed to provide any new information and became a campaign for more taxes after the keynote speech by Dwight Stenbakken.

Editorial: 'Major contributor to Salinas City downfall'

by Mark Carbonaro for City Watch

For some years now the social-welfare special interest groups have been running Salinas. They have shown themselves to have zero ability to manage a city of Salinas' size. Council members with obvious conflicts of interest rule the roost. And of course the only solution preferred by any of these folks for Salinas' problems is: raise taxes!

Once voters give them more tax dollars, don't be surprised a couple of years later if they want still more tax dollars! You can never have too many tax dollars when you're in the business of doing "good deeds" with other people's money.

Editorial: 'Voters confused? Give me a break!'

by Andrew F. Bender,
an exclusive for City Watch

According to a report in the May 12 Monterey Herald, supporters of higher tax rates in Salinas are urging officials to keep the next tax ballot measure simple. Evidently grasping at straws, long-time tax increase promoter Dennis Donohue stated that voters were confused by last year's measures A & B and that's why they failed to approve them.

This rings a bell for long-time observers of city government here. Former Mayor Styles used this same excuse after a measure he supported failed to pass. But when another measure he favored was approved, Styles commented that it showed how bright Salinas voters are.

Book Shows Nearly $13 Billion in Wasteful Government Spending

Here’s a book you’re not likely to find in a government-run library, but you can view online for free: California Piglet¹.

This 23 page book is loaded with examples of nearly $13 billion in wasteful state and local government spending. You’ll laugh at the stupid things that public officials are doing, but you’ll cry when you realize that it’s your money they’re spending, often for a self-serving cause.