Copyright 2012 http://www.nbcsandiego.com/blogs/prop-zero en-us Wed, 16 May 2012 09:10:17 -0700 Wed, 16 May 2012 09:10:17 -0700 NBC Owned Television Stations http://www.nbcsandiego.com/blogs/prop-zero/Jerry-Brown-Governor-Hostage-Schools-Education-151598815.html Wed, 16 May 2012 08:58:10 -0700 http://media.nbcsandiego.com/images/215*120/dog+day+afternoon+1975.jpg
Voters are being presented with a choice this summer. Pass an initiative hiking taxes temporarily. Or see schools and universities cut.

Photo Credit: Warner Bros.

]]> http://www.nbcsandiego.com/blogs/prop-zero/Jerry-Brown-Budget-May-Revision-Germany-Angela-Merkel-Greece-151570575.html Wed, 16 May 2012 08:57:30 -0700 http://media.nbcsandiego.com/images/212*120/143367930.jpg
The governor embraces austerity.

Photo Credit: Getty Images

]]> http://www.nbcsandiego.com/blogs/prop-zero/Opinion-Californias-Courts-Crisis-Chief-Justice-Tani-Cantil-Sakauye-151564395.html Tue, 15 May 2012 11:23:13 -0700 http://media.nbcsandiego.com/images/213*120/6351696_NCSEG206_05Casupr_722x406_1974374005.jpg
California's courts are already overcrowded to the point of gridlock. New budget cuts proposed by the governor are raising fears for a judicial system in crisis.

]]> http://www.nbcsandiego.com/blogs/prop-zero/California-Budget-Deficit-Gov-Jerry-Brown-No-Surprise-151437315.html Tue, 15 May 2012 10:34:11 -0700 http://media.nbcsandiego.com/images/213*120/KNSD_Brown_s_Pitch_Scaring_Voters_051412_22_mezzn_722x406_2234452766.jpg
There's nothing new about Governor Jerry Brown's disclosure last weekend that the state budget deficit has swelled to $16 billion. Anyone who is surprised by the revelation must have spent the past 11...

]]> http://www.nbcsandiego.com/blogs/prop-zero/Jerry-Brown-Hole-Speech-Budget-May-Revise-Taxes-Temporary-Ballot-Initiative-151329015.html Mon, 14 May 2012 20:00:29 -0700 http://media.nbcsandiego.com/images/160*120/digginahole.jpg
The big new budget deficit figure shows Gov. Brown's budget strategy can't work.

]]> http://ads.pheedo.com/click.phdo?s=85fbebc047e0d8553d4924b13c2813b8&p=4 85fbebc047e0d8553d4924b13c2813b8 ]]> Mon, 14 May 2012 20:00:29 -0700 http://www.nbcsandiego.com/blogs/prop-zero/Bleak-California-Budget-Tax-Fight-Schools-Education-Governor-Jerry-Brown-151378905.html Mon, 14 May 2012 15:11:09 -0700 http://media.nbcsandiego.com/images/213*120/latino-classroom.jpg
Another ugly budget fight is in store in Sacramento, as Gov. Jerry Brown unveils his proposal to plug a $16 billion gap. School spending will depend on voters who face a tax hike question this fall.

Photo Credit: Getty Images/Fuse

]]> http://www.nbcsandiego.com/blogs/prop-zero/San-Diego-San-Jose-Pensions-Top-Two-Primaries-Elections-Supermajority-Democrats-150640535.html Tue, 15 May 2012 08:52:47 -0700 http://media.nbcsandiego.com/images/213*120/San-Diego-Skyline-133071239.jpg
Five big questions in primary elections around California.

Photo Credit: Getty Images

]]> http://www.nbcsandiego.com/blogs/prop-zero/Ray-LaHood-High-Speed-Rail-Federal-Government-Obama-Legislature-151134555.html Sun, 13 May 2012 19:47:07 -0700 http://media.nbcsandiego.com/images/174*120/Lahood+on+Rahm+p1.jpg
The transportation secretary warns California legislature not to delay on approving high-speed rail, with vague threat that federal money will be withdrawn. Oh, please.

]]> http://www.nbcsandiego.com/blogs/prop-zero/June-Election-Voters-Viva-Voce-150639685.html Sun, 13 May 2012 14:45:34 -0700 http://media.nbcsandiego.com/images/182*120/sfelectionsimages.jpg
June 5 really isn't Election Day.

Photo Credit: Getty Images

]]> http://www.nbcsandiego.com/blogs/prop-zero/California-Lead-Global-League-of-Big-Provinces-150973875.html Sun, 13 May 2012 07:34:31 -0700 http://media.nbcsandiego.com/images/213*120/136042628.jpg
Why California should team up with Uttar Pradesh.

Photo Credit: AFP/Getty Images

]]> http://www.nbcsandiego.com/blogs/prop-zero/Cigarette-Tax-Prop-29-california-Big-Tobacco-Governor-Jerry-Brown-Dr-LaDonna-Porter-151078485.html Fri, 11 May 2012 09:37:02 -0700 http://media.nbcsandiego.com/images/213*120/KNSD_Prop_29_Tobacco_Tax_Cancer_Res_031812_40_mezzn_722x406_2211777116.jpg
A doctor who appeared in No on Prop 29 advertisements loses her appointment to a state panel. It's politics, but it's not unfair.

]]> http://www.nbcsandiego.com/blogs/prop-zero/California-Slow-Turn-Around-Controller-John-Chiang-150783055.html Fri, 11 May 2012 10:03:22 -0700 http://media.nbcsandiego.com/images/213*120/man+empty+pockets+3435.jpg
Slowly, oh ever so slowly, California is digging out of its prolonged recession.

Photo Credit: Getty Images

]]> http://www.nbcsandiego.com/blogs/prop-zero/California-Forward-Ballot-Measure-Signatures-150805565.html Fri, 11 May 2012 09:28:41 -0700 http://media.nbcsandiego.com/images/213*120/homeless-billionaire.jpg
California Forward is going forward with its ballot initiative -- but remains open to a deal

Photo Credit: AP

]]> http://ads.pheedo.com/click.phdo?s=cbdc0c88be3bcea1789a8069ef934249&p=4 cbdc0c88be3bcea1789a8069ef934249 ]]> Fri, 11 May 2012 09:28:41 -0700 http://www.nbcsandiego.com/blogs/prop-zero/No-on-Prop-29-Smoker-Distortion-Cigarette-Tax-150490165.html Wed, 09 May 2012 11:01:33 -0700 http://media.nbcsandiego.com/images/160*120/101708-cigarette.jpg
The "No on Proposition 29" campaign has taken the concept of distortion to new heights--or lows, depending on how you view it.

Photo Credit: AP/PETER MORRISON

]]> http://www.nbcsandiego.com/blogs/prop-zero/George-Clooney-Fundraiser-President-Barack-Obama-Studio-City-Traffic-150786525.html Thu, 10 May 2012 08:20:27 -0700 http://media.nbcsandiego.com/images/213*120/George-Clooney-P1.jpg
The ever-popular George Clooney should brace for local backlash.

Photo Credit: Getty Images

]]> http://www.nbcsandiego.com/blogs/prop-zero/Opinion-Facebook-Effect-California-Mark-Zuckerberg-Taxes-150636765.html Wed, 09 May 2012 10:56:48 -0700 http://media.nbcsandiego.com/images/198*120/mark-zuckerberg-young.jpg
With California facing another multi-billion dollar deficit, no wonder the state wants to "friend" Facebook. But all that stock cash could be a trap.

]]> http://www.nbcsandiego.com/blogs/prop-zero/China-Deng-Xiaoping-California-Gov-Jerry-Brown-150584315.html Tue, 08 May 2012 12:40:01 -0700 http://media.nbcsandiego.com/images/213*120/Deng-Xiaoping.jpg
Jerry Brown just turned 74, the same age when a Chinese leader began transforming his society.

Photo Credit: AP

]]> http://www.nbcsandiego.com/blogs/prop-zero/Tom-Brokaw-Kim-Kardashian-Linsday-Lohan-Charlize-Theron-Washington-Correspondents-Press-Corps-150504935.html Mon, 07 May 2012 18:36:07 -0700 http://media.nbcsandiego.com/images/213*120/lindsay-lohan-obama.jpg
Memo to those in the national press: It isn't all about you. Ditch the dinner or start inviting plumbers or out of work carpenters instead.

Photo Credit: AP

]]> http://www.nbcsandiego.com/blogs/prop-zero/California-Muslims-Seek-Political-Clout-Sacramento-CAIR-150466035.html Tue, 08 May 2012 12:32:02 -0700 http://media.nbcsandiego.com/images/213*120/CAIR+Muslims+cropped.jpg
American Muslim activists were making the rounds at the State Capitol on Monday, with the goal of underscoring their influence as voters, and to discourage anti-Muslim rhetoric.

Photo Credit: Munire Syeda, Council on American-Islamic Relations

]]> http://www.nbcsandiego.com/blogs/prop-zero/California-Higher-Education-State-University-Oregon-Arizona-150453575.html Mon, 07 May 2012 12:44:17 -0700 http://media.nbcsandiego.com/images/160*120/graduation.jpg
The brain drain out of California accelerates.

Photo Credit: AP

]]> http://www.nbcsandiego.com/blogs/prop-zero/Apple-Tax-Avoidance-State-Network-Computer-149961425.html Sun, 06 May 2012 14:55:03 -0700 http://media.nbcsandiego.com/images/213*120/apple-ipad3-debut-P1.jpg
The state can't seem to put together a new network and computer system. Apple is avoiding paying state taxes. Do you see a solution for both problems Here?

]]> http://ads.pheedo.com/click.phdo?s=5b9666aa4d1ada01a2b4a8486cfcac63&p=4 5b9666aa4d1ada01a2b4a8486cfcac63 ]]> Sun, 06 May 2012 14:55:03 -0700 http://www.nbcsandiego.com/blogs/prop-zero/California-Forward-Leverage-Time-to-Fight-Nicolas-Berggruen-Assmebly-Speaker-Robert-Hertzberg-150233105.html Sun, 06 May 2012 11:14:29 -0700 http://media.nbcsandiego.com/images/213*120/Robert+Hertzberg+050211.jpg
If Cal Forward is going to drop its measure, it should ask for something bigger: a process that could actually fix the state.

]]> http://www.nbcsandiego.com/video/#!/blogs/prop-zero/Molly-Munger-Takes-on-Critics/150256375 Sun, 06 May 2012 10:17:42 -0700 http://media.nbcsandiego.com/images/213*120/9557571_NCSEG20506mollymu_722x406_2231060843.jpg
Molly Munger is a Los Angeles Civil Rights Attorney and the woman behind "Our Children, Our Future" initiative. The governor and his supporters want her to get out of the way so their very...

]]> http://www.nbcsandiego.com/blogs/prop-zero/Opinion-Part-Time-Legislature-Proposal-Fails-to-Qualify-149697185.html Sun, 06 May 2012 07:26:40 -0700 http://media.nbcsandiego.com/images/213*120/capitol+protest+cropped.jpg
In a relatively sane moment for California, a proposed initiative to make the state legislature a part-time body has failed to collect enough support to qualify for the ballot.

Photo Credit: Kevin Riggs

]]> http://www.nbcsandiego.com/blogs/prop-zero/Standard-Poor-Rating-Agencies-State-Budget-John-Chiang-Controller-Legislature-149916715.html Sat, 05 May 2012 14:05:22 -0700 http://media.nbcsandiego.com/images/213*120/sandp.jpg
S&Ps newest report shows that it doesn't understand much about the California budget.

Photo Credit: AFP/Getty Images

]]> http://www.nbcsandiego.com/video/#!/blogs/prop-zero/Molly-Munger-Talks-Tax-Reform/150258825 Sat, 05 May 2012 13:30:40 -0700 http://media.nbcsandiego.com/images/213*120/9557530_NCSEG105_06V2mo_722x406_2231064979.jpg
The "Our Children: Our Future" campaign is seeking to raise California taxes to fund K-12. It is being backed and funded by Molly Munger, a Los Angeles civil rights attorney. She talks with NBC4's Cona...

]]> http://www.nbcsandiego.com/blogs/prop-zero/Molly-Munger-Jerry-Brown-Ballot-Initiative-Temporary-Tax-Hikes-150101785.html Fri, 04 May 2012 10:06:20 -0700 http://media.nbcsandiego.com/images/213*120/Brown+Unger.jpg
Gov. Brown wants Molly Munger's temporary tax initiative off the ballot. But having Munger's measure around is helping him.

Photo Credit: Gov. Jerry Brown/Molly Unger

]]> http://www.nbcsandiego.com/blogs/prop-zero/Sutter-Brown-Gov-Jerry-Brown-Obama-Bo-Politics-First-Dogs-150169935.html Fri, 04 May 2012 08:58:42 -0700 http://media.nbcsandiego.com/images/213*120/sutter+brown+10.jpg
As Governor Brown tries to negotiate difficult budget cuts with legislative Democrats who resist having their constituents harmed and Republicans who won’t cooperate at all, he’s smart to rely on...

Photo Credit: Sutter Brown's Facebook Page

]]> http://ads.pheedo.com/click.phdo?s=fee848f43a6e4246585f5c945c2097b9&p=4 fee848f43a6e4246585f5c945c2097b9 ]]> Fri, 04 May 2012 08:58:42 -0700 http://www.nbcsandiego.com/blogs/prop-zero/Congressman-Pete-Stark-15th-Congressional-District-Challenge-Eric-Swalwell-150095485.html Fri, 04 May 2012 09:54:50 -0700 http://media.nbcsandiego.com/images/213*120/Pete+Stark2.jpg
Two weeks ago I wrote about the 15th Congressional district campaign between 20-term incumbent Pete Stark and a relatively unknown challenger Eric Swalwell.

Photo Credit: Peter Stark Website

]]> http://www.nbcsandiego.com/blogs/prop-zero/Jerry-Brown-Reelection-Tease-Newsom-Villaraigosa-Democrats-Governor-149582485.html Thu, 03 May 2012 11:36:39 -0700 http://media.nbcsandiego.com/images/213*120/135852904_jerry_brown.jpg
Gov. Jerry Brown is trying to create mystery around the question of whether he's running for re-election. Please.

Photo Credit: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

]]> http://www.nbcsandiego.com/blogs/prop-zero/Legislative-Districts-Races-Candidates-Elections-Money-Campaign-Contributions-149516385.html Thu, 03 May 2012 11:20:32 -0700 http://media.nbcsandiego.com/images/180*120/85315987.jpg
With the overwhelming majority of money coming from outside legislative districts, why bother with district races?

Photo Credit: Getty Images

]]> http://www.nbcsandiego.com/blogs/prop-zero/California-First-Dog-Sutter-Brown-Hits-the-Road-for-Pet-License-Plate-Fundraiser-149902715.html Mon, 07 May 2012 12:36:24 -0700 http://media.nbcsandiego.com/images/213*120/Sutter+Brown+21.jpg
California First Dog Sutter Brown travels from Sacramento to Los Angeles with the Humane Society to promote a proposed new license plate to raise money for animal shelters.

Photo Credit: Jennifer Fearing, Humane Society

]]> http://www.nbcsandiego.com/blogs/prop-zero/Sutter-Brown-Hits-The-Road-Humane-Society-149864305.html Wed, 02 May 2012 15:56:37 -0700 http://media.nbcsandiego.com/images/213*120/Sutter+Brown6.jpg
Governor Jerry Brown's much-adored pup, Sutter, spent Wednesday on a political road trip. He traveled via Prius down Highway 99 on a fundraising stunt, but for a serious cause.

Photo Credit: Jennifer Fearing, Humane Society

]]> http://www.nbcsandiego.com/blogs/prop-zero/A-Tax-System-Divorced-From-Jobs-Economy-149513575.html Wed, 02 May 2012 11:00:54 -0700 http://media.nbcsandiego.com/images/213*120/061711+florida+unemployment.jpg
California's economy is rebounding. Its tax revenues aren't.

Photo Credit: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

]]> http://www.nbcsandiego.com/blogs/prop-zero/California-Bad-Roads-Budget-Cuts-California-Department-Transportation-149422225.html Thu, 03 May 2012 11:38:30 -0700 http://media.nbcsandiego.com/images/161*120/pot+hole+repair+p1.jpg
If it seems like you've been taking your car to the repair shop for an alignment with increasing frequency, it doesn't necessarily mean you're a bad driver.

Photo Credit: flikr

]]> http://www.nbcsandiego.com/blogs/prop-zero/Los-Angeles-Riots-War-Zone-Rodney-King-Remembered-149524945.html Tue, 01 May 2012 09:41:59 -0700 http://media.nbcsandiego.com/images/213*120/la+riots+file.jpg
Twenty years ago, Los Angeles was an unnerving scene of destruction; a reminder of how quickly chaos can erupt.

]]> http://ads.pheedo.com/click.phdo?s=3080120dd57d4834294d57dd710e02e7&p=4 3080120dd57d4834294d57dd710e02e7 ]]> Tue, 01 May 2012 09:41:59 -0700 http://www.nbcsandiego.com/blogs/prop-zero/California-Ballot-Measure-Prop-184-Three-Strikes-Initiatives-149420925.html Mon, 30 Apr 2012 10:31:56 -0700 http://media.nbcsandiego.com/images/213*120/050911+miami-dade+voting+generic.jpg
It's commonplace for people to blame the legislature and governor for our state's budget mess, and some of that blame is deserved. But a sizable amount of culpability for California's fiscal mess falls on...

Photo Credit: Getty Images

]]> http://www.nbcsandiego.com/blogs/prop-zero/Circulators-Petition-Signatures-Gathering-149229365.html Mon, 30 Apr 2012 10:10:12 -0700 http://media.nbcsandiego.com/images/213*120/petition-sb48-church.jpg
Thanks to the petition circulators

]]> http://www.nbcsandiego.com/blogs/prop-zero/Salary-Cap-Governor-Legislature-Unions-149145365.html Mon, 30 Apr 2012 10:01:58 -0700 http://media.nbcsandiego.com/images/213*120/cash-generic-722x406.jpg
There's no reason for outrage about state salaries that are higher than the governor's.

Photo Credit: Shutterstock

]]> http://www.nbcsandiego.com/blogs/prop-zero/California-Population-Growth-50-Million-Immigrants-Children-148720585.html Mon, 30 Apr 2012 10:14:39 -0700 http://media.nbcsandiego.com/images/213*120/immigration5.jpg
A new study says California's population is not likely to grow as fast as official projections

Photo Credit: Getty Images

]]> http://www.nbcsandiego.com/video/#!/blogs/prop-zero/Helping-Rebuild-LA-Post-Riots/149337775 Sun, 29 Apr 2012 15:41:34 -0700 http://media.nbcsandiego.com/images/213*120/9495701_ncseg204_29Ueberroth_722x406_2228095336.jpg
California businessman Peter Ueberroth was the man behind Rebuild LA. Twenty years ago, Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley asked him to help rebuild much of the city, which had been burned during the riots...

]]> http://www.nbcsandiego.com/blogs/prop-zero/State-Budget-Controller-John-Chiang-Legislature-Judge-148788285.html Sun, 29 Apr 2012 15:18:01 -0700 http://media.nbcsandiego.com/images/213*120/02_john_chiang_wig.jpg
A judge says the state controller can't block legislature's pay -- as he did last year.

]]> http://www.nbcsandiego.com/blogs/prop-zero/Voter-Information-Guide-Ballot-Arguments-Citizen-Juries-148626935.html Mon, 30 Apr 2012 10:20:13 -0700 http://media.nbcsandiego.com/images/160*120/102808-voting-p1.jpg
The ballot guide for June's statewide primaries shows the need for improvements

Photo Credit: Getty Images

]]> http://ads.pheedo.com/click.phdo?s=37dc5e5387669787e7c7913b0c69dae8&p=4 37dc5e5387669787e7c7913b0c69dae8 ]]> Mon, 30 Apr 2012 10:20:13 -0700 http://www.nbcsandiego.com/video/#!/blogs/prop-zero/Peter-Ueberroth-Reflects-on-LA-Riots/149338065 Sat, 28 Apr 2012 11:01:34 -0700 http://media.nbcsandiego.com/images/213*120/Ueberroth.jpg
Peter Ueberroth's list of accomplishments are long: Former Major League Basbeball commissioner, Time Magazine's "Man of the Year," 1984 Los Angeles Olympics leader. But one of his hardest...

Photo Credit: Getty Images

]]> http://www.nbcsandiego.com/blogs/prop-zero/Mad-Cow-Politics-Red-Meat-Taxes-149229005.html Fri, 27 Apr 2012 12:47:25 -0700 http://media.nbcsandiego.com/images/180*120/104548508.jpg
Not eating beef after mad cow? But you still may have a dangerous intake of political red meat.

Photo Credit: Getty Images

]]> http://www.nbcsandiego.com/blogs/prop-zero/Opinion-Congress-Challenge-California-GOP-Democrat-Election-Trouble-Pete-Stark-148563865.html Mon, 30 Apr 2012 10:16:21 -0700 http://media.nbcsandiego.com/images/164*120/PETESTARK.jpg
California's Congressional Democrats find themselves in an increasingly embarrassing situation. Pete Stark, a 40-year veteran from northern California, finds himself threatened by another Democrat.

Photo Credit: Peter Stark Website

]]> http://www.nbcsandiego.com/blogs/prop-zero/Opinion-California-Governor-Jerry-Brown-Tax-Increase-Proposition-Trouble-149095115.html Thu, 26 Apr 2012 11:45:45 -0700 http://media.nbcsandiego.com/images/213*120/135852904_jerry_brown.jpg
Democratic Governor Jerry Brown's measure to temporarily raise state income and sales taxes may be in trouble before the proposal even qualifies for the November ballot.

Photo Credit: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

]]> http://www.nbcsandiego.com/blogs/prop-zero/State-Controller-John-Chiang-Governor-Jerry-Brown-Fight-Lawmaker-Pay-Voters-148919125.html Wed, 25 Apr 2012 17:08:56 -0700 http://media.nbcsandiego.com/images/213*120/John+Chiang+in+Parlimentary+wig+cropped.jpg
State Controller John Chiang cannot withhold the paychecks of legislators, a Sacramento judge ruled Wednesday, even if Chiang believes they fail to pass a balanced budget on time.

]]> http://www.nbcsandiego.com/blogs/prop-zero/Mayor-Antontio-Villlaraigosa-Transportation-Train-Los-Angeles-Legacy-Taxes-148705995.html Thu, 26 Apr 2012 11:48:13 -0700 http://media.nbcsandiego.com/images/213*120/Mayor+Villaraigosa+Anti-Gang.jpg
A transit tax proposed by LA's mayor could imperil the governor's own tax plans by overwhelming voters.

Photo Credit: Getty Images

]]> http://www.nbcsandiego.com/blogs/prop-zero/Opinion-Prison-Spending-Loses-Its-Luster-148571115.html Tue, 24 Apr 2012 11:06:05 -0700 http://media.nbcsandiego.com/images/213*120/prison-hands-generic.jpg
A master plan released by state prison officials Monday promises to reduce spending by billions and end federal oversight of the system.

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