What is a California Squirrel?
California's economy needs a major boost. And the first job of every California elected official is to help grow that economy for the benefit of its people and environment. If a legislator isn't working to create private sector JOBS, he may be distracted by SQUIRRELS. We want you to be aware of those SQUIRRELS, to call them out, and remind the sponsoring legislator to re-focus. Why? Just take a look at the numbers:
National Unemployment = 7.8%* (National Unemployment = 7.9%)**
State Unemployment = 9.8%*
Orange County Unemployment = 6.8%*
*California Employment Development Department - December 2012 Data
**U.S. Department of Labor - January 2013 Data
Highlighted below are just a few distracting SQUIRRELS that should have been left on the drafting table.
Read More
Jun 5th, 2012
Since it appears that any fiscal reform is up in smoke this year, apparently the legislature is looking for a “Hail Mary Jane” action to generate magic revenue. In this case, creating structure around marijuana use. Although like a teenager defying his parents, California seems to forget that the feds still classify this plant as [...]
Jun 1st, 2012
Despite being prohibited by federal law, AB 1390 would allow gambling on professional and collegiate sports or athletic events. Yay! All those boring USC-UCLA game day arguments can now generate revenue for the state. The problem is, the bill could only take effect if the current federal ban is dropped or found illegal. In sports [...]
Jun 1st, 2012
California’s current budget deficit is around $15.7 billion and its unfunded pension liability is around $500 billion. So, based on the strength of its fiscal management skills, the state would like to jump into the deep end of the red ink and develop a NEW pension system for the private sector. “No, really, trust me, [...]
Feb 29th, 2012
Always thinking of others, our thoughtful Legislature. This time, to focus attention on rare diseases as a public health issue. And, with so much irony, the commemorative day is its own rarity, February 29th or Leap Day. So tender and so clever. Apparently the theme for Rare Disease Day is solidarity, certainly a rarity in [...]
Feb 29th, 2012
In a sport that employs a legal move named the “guillotine choke” and is defined as “full contact combat,” perhaps a bill “enhancing the safety and promoting the welfare” of its fighters is not the best use of the Legislature’s time. Now, if the Legislature wants to take a lesson from the MMA play book [...]
Feb 28th, 2012
Only in California would the legislature develop guidelines to enforce state pesticide regulations on the growing of an illegal drug, by federal standards. Apparently the discriminating consumers want to be sure they’re not ingesting pesticides or other toxins along with their medical mary jane. Eco-conscious ganja growers can’t get the USDA to certify pot products [...]
Feb 28th, 2012
Not content with regulating every aspect of waking life, the legislature is now moving onto the afterlife. Despite existing law that covers the disposition of cremated human remains, apparently now we need one that specifically calls out the legality of transferring remains to a “scattering urn” before turning dear departed auntie into the sea. There [...]
Feb 28th, 2012
Life can be a dangerous place to hang around and certainly little ones need well-meaning adults to look out for their health and safety. Even with that, tragic accidents can happen. The solution isn’t to outlaw every pointy-ended thing. Push pins have been around for 112 years and children a good deal longer than that. [...]
Feb 22nd, 2012
Just about every bill introduced during the legislative session can be wrapped with the faux luv of “it’s for the kids.” Up for consideration is a bill that would equate food trucks with strip clubs by banning their proximity to schools from 6am to 6pm on the grounds that it could divert kids from a [...]
Feb 16th, 2012
Apparently not noticing the rich irony in advocating for penny-pinchers, this bill language actually states: “Once consumers adopt frugal habits, they quickly discover that they like the feeling of saving money.” Lo that the Legislature could find that same “enjoyment of saving” when spending Californians’ money for them. Instead of looking for BOGO deals on [...]
